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).
Scottish and Welsh Governments to collaborate on matters of shared interest
The Scottish and Welsh Governments have agreed to improve how they work together on areas of shared interest to strengthen democracy and deliver better outcomes for people in Scotland and Wales.
The Cardiff Agreement, which was signed by First Ministers John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth, covers areas of common interest including:
tackling child poverty and improving outcomes for children and families
the cost of living and improving living standards
sustainable and inclusive economic growth
climate change and strengthening climate resilience
international engagement, including with the EU
recognising the importance of language, culture, media and sport
The Agreement will support more evidence sharing, partnership working on policy development and engagement at both ministerial and official levels.
First Minister John Swinney said: “The signing of the Cardiff Agreement is an important moment in the history of devolution. It will improve the way the Scottish and Welsh Governments work together on our shared priorities so we can deliver better outcomes for the people we serve.
“The Agreement reflects a relationship built on trust and mutual respect. Distinct approaches will still be necessary, but we share common goals and a commitment to learn from each other.
“The new era of co-operation represented by the signing of this Agreement will be underpinned by a shared belief that the people of Scotland and Wales are best placed to decide their own constitutional future and should not be held back by a UK system that does not work for our nations.”
First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Today’s agreement sets out areas of shared interest on which we as First Ministers and our respective governments will collaborate in the coming years, to strengthen democracy and improve outcomes for the people of Wales and Scotland.
“While Wales and Scotland are on different constitutional journeys, we both share a commitment to strong, accountable devolved government, and to a relationship between the governments of these islands built on trust and mutual respect.
“We share a belief that our people should decide their own future, and that the Union isn’t working fairly for either nation. We will use every opportunity available to us to press the case for greater fairness for Wales and Scotland and for powers over our constitutional futures.”
We’re looking forward to celebrating, and you’re all invited! Free event.
Contact us if you’d like to help out, or to contribute a song or other performance..
All apple dessert entries should be delivered by 3.30pm. We can provide local apples on the two Wednesday afternoons before, come to the garden to collect. First prize is a £20 gift voucher for Granton Garden Bakery.
Scot set to take on Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon this year in support of motor neuron disease charity
Callum Steell, 34, will take on the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon on 10 October 2026 in support of MND Scotland, and for his mother, Karen, who is living with motor neuron disease.
Callum lives with his wife, Clare, and works in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, for Charles Tennant – a leading independent chemical manufacturer.
In June 2024, Callum’s mother, Karen, was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND).
MND is a rapidly progressing terminal neurological illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This causes muscle weakness and wasting. MND can rob someone of the ability to walk, talk, swallow, and breathe.
Speaking about his mother’s diagnosis, Callum said, “My mum had been struggling with her speech and mobility for some time. It took about two and a half years of tests, and various hospital and doctor appointments before they could get to the bottom of it.”
MND affects everyone differently. A person may not develop all the symptoms, and their symptoms may progress at a different rate to someone else with MND.
Following her MND diagnosis, Karen made adaptations to her home, including her bed room and bathroom, to make things a bit easier going forward. She’s also had a recliner installed at home, has been reviewing wheelchair options, and banked her voice.
Callum said, “My mum is still able to get out and about and do plenty, which we are ex tremely grateful for, because we know others aren’t as fortunate. But we know how quickly things can change.”
In support of his mum and other families affected by MND, Callum will take on the GB Ultra Marathon event from Glasgow to Edinburgh on 10 October to help raise funds for MND Scotland.
He said, “It starts at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, just along from the West End, and then heads out the canal roads and finishes at Saughton Sports Complex in Edinburgh.”
Callum has been following a vigorous training routine to help prepare for the challenge, “I’m trying to build up the distance as much as possible each week. I’m currently running between 60km per week and at my peak the week out from the race, that will be up to nearly 85km all in.
“This involves not only long-distance runs, but also strength sessions to keep the mus cles as strong as possible. Recovery also fits into that too, all the while balancing a busy work and family life.”
Callum will take in a total of 57miles (92km) and an elevation of 231m as part of the challenge.
Some of Callum’s friends from the gym he attends took part in the Ultra Marathon last year in the hope of completing a personal challenge. This gave him the idea to take part for his mum and to help raise vital funds for MND Scotland to help other families af fected by the disease and to support MND research.
This isn’t the first time Callum has raised funds for MND Scotland. In 2025, he partici pated in and completed the Manchester Marathon and helped to raise £2,000 for MND Scotland.
Callum said, “I have had a personal trainer for the last couple of years now. I’ve always been quite competitive, so I want to try and complete it in as best a time as possible.
“My mum is always so proud that I’m taking on the challenge, which is so nice to hear.”
MND Scotland would like to thank Callum for his support in the upcoming Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon and wish him the best of luck in his training.
If you would like to support his challenge by donating, please visit:
Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), has revealed that it will play a significant role in the operational delivery of the Tour de France 2027 when the world’s biggest cycling race arrives in the UK next year.
Marking the first time in the event’s history that the race has started in Scotland, the Grand Départ will begin in Edinburgh on 2 July 2027 and cover 184km to Carlisle, showcasing Edinburgh and Scotland to millions of spectators worldwide.
Working closely with the Grand Départ GB team, Edinburgh City Council and partners across Edinburgh, the EICC will host the race headquarters and official international press centre for the duration of the Grand Départ in July, while the team presentation will take place at Edinburgh Castle on 30 June.
Adept at delivering complex, high-profile international events at scale, The Tour de France Grand Départ selected the EICC as its race and media hub because of its proven operational expertise, unmatched technical infrastructure and highly experienced team.
The landmark international venue, centrally located in Edinburgh’s Exchange District, has connected people, ideas and industries for over 30 years, welcoming more than 2.2 million delegates across over 5,000 events.
Chair of the EICC board, Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, said: “The Tour de France Grand Départ in Edinburgh is a historic moment and a huge honour for the city, cementing Edinburgh’s reputation as a world-class events destination, with EICC at its heart.
“We are immensely proud that EICC has been trusted with a significant part of the operational delivery of this most prestigious sporting event, becoming the nerve centre for the race and international media for the duration of the Grand Départ.
“All eyes will be on Edinburgh and the EICC during this time, and the event’s legacy will benefit the city and Scotland’s wider events industry. Bringing this to fruition was a complex collaborative effort between the Grand Départ GB team, the City of Edinburgh Council and our partners across Edinburgh, highlighting the city and EICC’s collective approach to delivering events of this scale and complexity.”
Paul Bush, Managing Director of Grand Départ GB, said: “We are delighted to be working with the EICC’s expert team and to have their world-class facilities to host the race headquarters and press centre ahead of next year’s historic Grand Départ.
“These facilities will be the focus of much of the build-up ahead of stage one beginning in Edinburgh, and there is nowhere better to be at the heart of the city than with the EICC.”
EICC’s infrastructure, technical capability and team will support hundreds of accredited international journalists, photographers and broadcasters for the duration of the Grand Départ, with the press centre’s official launch on Tuesday 29 June 2027.
For more information on the Grand Départ and the route please visit:
Gifted: New Acquisitions at the City Art Centre presents a selection of historical and contemporary Scottish artworks recently received as donations and bequests.
The City of Edinburgh’s Fine Art collection charts the history of the visual arts in Scotland from the 17th century to the present day.
Containing more than 5,000 individual artworks, the collection continues to grow every year, with new acquisitions filling historical gaps and introducing contemporary talents. Many of these artworks are generously donated by artists, cultural organisations and members of the public.
Gifted reveals over 50 recent gifts and bequests, ranging from 19th century oil paintings to modern-day artists’ prints. The exhibition explores the stories behind each acquisition, celebrating donors and their important role in developing the Fine Art collection.
Over 40 different artists feature in the new exhibition, including: Victoria Crowe, Agnes Miller Parker, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, John Bellany, Jessie M. King, Robert Blomfield, David Cass, Gareth Fisher, Tess Glen, Bet Low, Will Maclean, Caroline McNairn, Robin Philipson and Willie Rodger.
Among the highlights are Jessie M. King’s exquisite Art Nouveau drawing Fraunchyse (c.1907), Robin Philipson’s colourful still life Poppies on a Gold Ground (1984), and a group of miniature scenes painted on found objects by contemporary artist David Cass.
Cllr Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said:Edinburgh’s art collection tells a remarkable story of Scotland’s creative talent, made possible in large part through the generosity of those who have gifted works to the city.
“From drawing and painting to photography and sculpture, the collection reflects the richness and diversity of Scottish art.
“This exhibition gives residents and visitors the chance to experience works by artists such as Victoria Crowe up close, and to enjoy them completely free of charge.”
Curator Dr Helen Scott (pictured top) said:“Over the last few years, we’ve been really fortunate to receive so many wonderful artworks as donations and bequests to the Fine Art collection.
“Some pieces have been gifted by artists themselves, while others have been offered by cultural organisations and members of the public. Such generosity allows us to increase the breadth and depth of the collection, sharing artworks in the public domain that might otherwise never be seen.
“Many of these artworks are being displayed here for the first time since their arrival. I’m really looking forward to visitors discovering them, and perhaps even finding a new personal favourite.“
As part of our ongoing work around the Knife Angel, South West officers have been carrying out targeted enforcement activity:
– We executed an MDA warrant which resulted in positive findings for cocaine and cannabis. The occupiers were linked to crimes of violence, including stabbings;
– One individual was arrested on a warrant in relation to a violent crime;
– We traced a missing person, who, when located and searched, was found in possession of a large kitchen knife and heroin. He was arrested and conveyed to custody;
– Proactive patrols led to the arrest of an individual following a theft by shoplifting in the city centre, with further action taken in relation to knife carrying;
– Our Oxgangs CPT officers and SW LIT team were involved in a foot chase with a nominal riding a Sur-Ron bike. They apprehended and identified the rider, with further enquiries ongoing following the arrest.
This incredible work demonstrates our continued commitment to identifying those involved in violence, drug supply and weapon carrying, and taking positive action to protect our communities.
Bilal Iqbal from Livingston, and Ellen Verth from Edinburgh, who are both visually impaired, have teamed up to take on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk 2026 in support of Sight Scotland.
Bilal, who has been severely sight impaired since birth, and Ellen, who became visually impaired following a brain injury sustained in a cycling accident in 2012, have been friends for several years. Despite her own visual impairment, Ellen retains limited vision on her left side and regularly guides Bilal on outings, trips and at events.
Bilal, 31, who went to the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh and now works at the Scottish Braille Press as a Braille proofreader, comments: “I have wanted to take on a fundraising challenge for Sight Scotland for some time.
“Having attended the Royal Blind School, worked at the Scottish Braille Press, and been involved with Sight Scotland’s Policy Group and Sight Loss Councils Edinburgh, I have seen first-hand the incredible work the charity does.
“Sight Scotland not only provides vital support to people with visual impairments, but also works tirelessly to improve accessibility, raise awareness, and create opportunities for people with visual impairment across Scotland. Taking part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk feels like a good way to give something back and help support that important work.
“It’s great to be taking part in the Kiltwalk with Ellen. We have been friends since 2018, and she has been a tremendous support to me, guiding me on days out and to events. We do something together at least once or twice a month. Ellen is truly inspirational. She has been through so much, yet she still finds time to help others. She supports me in so many ways, and I can’t thank her enough.”
Ellen, who also volunteers with Sight Loss Councils Edinburgh, comments: “My accident happened in 2012.
“I was on a cycling trip with my partner near Peebles when I crashed. I do not remember the accident itself, but I was in hospital for six months and spent five-and-a-half weeks in a coma. The accident resulted in a severe brain injury that caused both visual and cognitive impairments. I can be forgetful now and sometimes get confused, which can be frustrating.
“However, I also consider myself fortunate because I still have some vision. My sight is hazy, and not good on my right side, and I may also be developing a cataract. But I am still capable, and recently I travelled to Australia and Thailand which was amazing.
“I love being part of Sight Loss Councils Edinburgh, it has had a huge impact on my life. It gets me out of the house, keeps me active, and gives me a real sense of purpose. Sight Loss Councils are all about helping people and making the world more accessible for those living with visual impairment.
“Before my accident, I was always busy with work. I ran my own financial consultancy business and regularly travelled to London. Then, after the accident, there were several years when life became much quieter.
“When you are not connected with other people who have visual impairments, it can be easy to feel isolated. Being part of the Sight Loss Councils reminds us that we are not alone. We support one another, challenge misconceptions, and help people understand that we are still capable of living full, active lives and doing the things they enjoy.
“That is one of the reasons it’s so great to be taking part in the Kiltwalk for Sight Scotland. Raising money is important, but just as importantly, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges people with visual impairment face and to highlight the support that is available.”
Sight Loss Councils Scotland are run by Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans and Visibility Scotland and are delivered in partnership with the Thomas Pocklington Trust. There are currently three Sight Loss Councils in Scotland, based in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dumfries and Galloway.
Each Council is made up of a group of visually impaired volunteers who draw on their lived experience to address local and national issues and to champion accessibility, inclusion and equality.
As we mark the 86th anniversary of Battle of Britain Day on 15 September, we remember the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the remarkable generation known as ‘The Few’.
During the summer and autumn of 1940, they fought and won against incredible odds in the skies over southern Britain, helping to defend our nation in one of its darkest hours and secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
Their legacy continues to inspire generations that have followed.
This commemoration carries a deeply personal meaning for me. As a former RAF Sergeant and parachute jumping instructor, I know first-hand the challenges military service can bring. During a routine exercise, my main parachute failed and my reserve became tangled, resulting in a 6,000ft fall that left me paralysed.
With the support of the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF’s longest-standing charity, I was able to rebuild my life, regain my independence and find a new purpose. Today, I am proud to serve as an ambassador, helping others understand that support is available when they need it most.
The men and women who fought during the Battle of Britain faced extraordinary pressures and uncertainty. While the nature of military service has changed over the decades, the demands placed on those who serve remain significant. Around the world, members of the RAF continue to deploy and operate wherever they are needed, often at considerable personal cost to them and their families.
That is why it is so important that we continue to honour our commitment to those who serve. No one who has served their country should face life’s challenges alone. Just as the RAF Benevolent Fund was there to support RAF personnel and their families during and after the Second World War, it remains committed today to providing support when need arises and to strengthen the resilience and wellbeing of the RAF Family, enabling individuals, families, and communities to thrive through all stages of life.
The Battle of Britain provides a poignant reminder not only of what was achieved through courage and determination, but also of our responsibility to look after those who have served. It is a responsibility that spans generations and remains as relevant today as it was eighty-six years ago.
If you know anyone who could benefit from the life-changing services the Fund provides, you can find more details at rafbf.org, or you can call on 0300 102 1919.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Greig
RAF veteran and RAF Benevolent Fund Ambassador
Bob Greig picture by Ollie Dixon
Battle of Britain crew picture: MOD Crown Copyright
