Time is running out for voters to register to have their say in the Scottish Parliament election on Thursday 7 May, with the deadline for registrations at 11.59pm TONIGHT.
Registering takes minutes and can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. All voters need is a name, address, and National Insurance number.
Those who are already registered will have received a poll card, which tells them where and when to vote.
Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: “We want everyone to be able to have their say in this election, but first they need to be registered to vote.
“If you’re voting for the first time, have moved house, or changed any of your details, it’s especially important that you register online before the deadline tonight.
“It takes just five minutes and all you need is your name, address, and National Insurance number. You can do it now at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
“If you want to vote by post or by proxy, you still have time to apply, but you’ll need to be registered to vote first. Anyone not registered in time won’t be able to vote on Thursday 7 May.
“Once you’re registered, the deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5.00pm on Tuesday 21 April and the deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5.00pm on Tuesday 28 April.”
CARERS TRUST are proud to be supporting #CarersWeek 2026!
This year’s theme is Building Carer Friendly Communities and from 8-14 June we’ll explore how to build communities that make a real and lasting difference to the lives of carers.
The Dreadnought was recently declared Edinburgh Pub of the Year by members of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland Branch of CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale.
During the previous year, CAMRA members had been visiting pubs and scoring their beer – making an assessment of how well it had been kept and served, submitting their scores online.
In February, members met to consider a short-list of the highest scoring pubs. This had been compiled using an algorithm that takes account of the number of people scoring, the number of visits the scores related to, as well as the scores themselves. The pubs on the short list were those which consistently offered well kept beer. By secret ballot, members then voted for their Pub of the Year, in the 3 areas the Branch covers – Edinburgh, the Lothians outside Edinburgh, and the Borders.
The photograph (TOP) shows pub landlord, Toby Saltonstall, on 15 April, being presented with a framed commemorative certificate by Chris Miller, Branch Chair, at a gathering in the pub.
The presentation was greeted by much applause, from the crowd of regular patrons who had assembled to celebrate this special event.
The pub has been runner-up on a number of occasions, so this win was not entirely a surprise!
Edinburgh Castle became a shining tribute to Scotland’s female footballers on Saturday night, with striking images of players of all ages and stages projected onto the iconic landmark to mark ScottishPower signing up to support the women’s game for another three years.
From the Castle Esplanade, players, coaches and parents gathered at dusk as the historic fortress was illuminated with projected footage showcasing the journeys of young players developing into emerging professionals alongside existing stars and professional players, bringing to life what is increasingly possible through ScottishPower’s continued support.
The projection marks the extension of ScottishPower’s exclusive Principal Partnership with Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL), first announced back in 2023 as the biggest single investment in Scottish women’s football.
The leading green energy company also confirmed it will continue to sponsor the Scottish Youth Challenge Cups at all three age groups, SWF’s National & Regional league cups and is again backing the fast-growing Scottish Women’s Highlands and Islands League and Cup.
Over the next three years, ScottishPower will continue to actively support both the SWF and the SWPL as they accelerate the growth of the women’s game, all the way from grassroots to elite up and down the country.
Keith Anderson, ScottishPower Chief Executive, said: “At ScottishPower, we’re committed to equality of opportunity, and over the past three years our partnership with Scottish Women’s Football and the Scottish Women’s Premier League has shown just how powerful the right support can be for girls and women across Scotland.
“We’re proud to back the elite end of the game, but just as importantly, to help strengthen the entire pathway – from grassroots and youth football right through to the highest level.
“Together, we’ve focused on making a real, practical impact, from providing kit and boots to girls across the country to supporting development in areas like the Highlands and Islands that can too often be overlooked.
“Renewing our support for another three years is a clear statement of our intent. We’re in this for the long term, committed to building momentum and helping women’s football in Scotland reach its full potential.”
Aileen Campbell, CEO at Scottish Women’s Football, added:“ScottishPower’s continued commitment is a hugely important vote of confidence in the women’s and girls’ game across the country.
“This partnership has already helped us strengthen the foundations of football in communities, supporting participation, improving the player pathway, and creating more opportunities for girls to stay in the sport and progress, whatever their starting point.
“The continuation of support for our National and Regional cups, the Youth Challenge Cups and the Highlands and Islands League and Cup is especially significant, because it reaches players and volunteers at every level. We’re proud of what has been achieved so far, and we’re excited to keep building real momentum over the next three years.”
Fiona McIntyre, Managing Director of Scottish Women’s Premier League, said: “This renewal is a powerful statement about the future of women’s football in Scotland.
“The SWPL has been on a clear journey of growth in standards, visibility and ambition, and having a long-term principal partner like ScottishPower enables our clubs and players to keep driving progress both on and off the pitch.
“Crucially, it also strengthens the connection between the top of the game and the grassroots and youth pathway, ensuring young players across Scotland can see a clear and achievable future in football.
“We’re immensely grateful for ScottishPower’s continued belief in what women’s football can become and the positive impact it can have on communities nationwide.”
ScottishPower is at the heart of communities across the country, whether it’s through the thousands of green jobs being created, the renewable power it generates or the secure, stable electricity it supplies –keeping the lights on from power to plug.
This landmark football partnership aligns with parent company, Iberdrola, which has been promoting equality through sport since 2016, through competitions and federations in Spain and Brazil.
Outside the UK, it supports more than 100 competitions, 32 of them as Iberdrola leagues, reaching an estimated 600,000 female athletes.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will address the Commons this afternoon as questions mount over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
Oppostion leaders have all called for his resignation and there is growing disquiet among his own backbenchers over Starmer’s decision to appoint Mandelson – a man who had previously been forced to resign TWICE for dishonesty and whose links to disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein were in the public domain.
Despite Mandelson’s controversial background, Starmer appointed the lobbyist to a senior diplomatic post only to dismiss him in September when more Epstein revelations came to light.
Starmer is now claiming he was unaware that Mandelson failed security vetting and that, had he known, he would not have appointed the disgraced peer. The vetting process actually took place after the announcement of Mandelson’s appointment.
Exactly what Starmer knew, and when, may just become a little clearer this afternoon. ‘Furious’ Starmer will doubtless come out fighting, and Cabinet colleagues have been circling the wagons to protect their leader, but whether Westminster will believe the Prime Minister’s version of events is another matter.
The Mandelson affair is another self-inflicted wound, and an unwelcome distraction for a government facing elections across the country in just three weeks time.
Secondary schools in Edinburgh can fundraise to feed an entire school of hungry children by signing up for a charity’s life-changing Feed A School initiative.
Mary’s Meals provides meals to more than 3 million children every school day in some of the world’s poorest communities across 16 countries. The promise of a nutritious meal at school attracts these children into the classroom, where they can gain an education that can be their ladder out of poverty. Yet millions of children still miss out on going to school due to hunger.
Through Feed A School, secondary schools can ensure every pupil at a school in Malawi or Zambia receives a nutritious meal every day for a full school year.
The initiative is a transformative way to give hundreds of vulnerable children hope for a better future. Providing healthy meals for a whole school has a huge impact not only on the children, but also on their families and the wider community.
Feeding an entire school for a year is more achievable than many realise – with Mary’s Meals, it costs just 10p a day to provide a child with a nutritious school meal. Whether schools choose to fundraise on their own, or join with others in the area, they will develop a real sense of connection to their chosen school and to the children they are helping, with updates from the feeding programme and a final report from the Malawian or Zambian school at the end of the year.
A school’s support can bring hope to more children like Sean, aged 12, from Mbayani Primary School in Malawi. Hunger is a daily struggle for Sean and his classmates, but with Mary’s Meals, they have a chance at a brighter future.
He says: “Mostly there is no money, and we don’t eat at home, but I know I will get porridge at school. I am happy at school and I want to be a scientist. Porridge will help me take the next steps.”
Schools that choose to fundraise won’t be doing it alone. Mary’s Meals will be there to support schools throughout their fundraising year – and each participating school will be joining others up and down the country who agree that in this world of plenty, no child should miss school because they are too hungry to learn.
Every year since 2017, pupils at St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School in East Kilbride have organised a five day ‘porridge pledge’ to raise funds to feed all 288 children at Damu Primary School in Malawi for a full school year with Mary’s Meals.
During the pledge, the pupils eat only plain foods, like porridge, rice and toast – sacrificing their favourite foods so their friends at Damu can enjoy school meals for a whole year. In 2025, they surpassed their £5,515.20 target, raising an incredible total of more than £11,000.
Religion Moral Citizenship Education (RMCE) teacher, Jacqueline Nelson, says: “I can honestly say Feed A School with Mary’s Meals is one of the best things that we have ever done in our school.
“Through Feed A School, we live what we teach – we directly help our global brothers and sisters, those who we will never meet yet still love and it allows us to place the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in the world first. It’s beautiful. It brings true joy.”
Claire Benjamin, Director of Supporter Engagement for Mary’s Meals UK, adds: “Choose to Feed A School and you will make a lasting difference to children, their families and their whole communities.
“We serve children in schools of many different sizes, which means Feed A School offers a wide range of fundraising targets to suit every school community. Schools can sign up to Feed A School in Malawi or Zambia today and turn a year of school meals into a lifetime of impact.”
Inclusive entrepreneur turns university course into funding windfall
A 10-week online marketing course from The Open University in Scotland has transformed the fortunes of an Edinburgh-based comedy entrepreneur, leading to equity-free funding and her first employee hire.
Katie Palmer, founder of Brass Tacks Comedy, signed up for the course after spotting it in Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert newsletter.
What began as a low-commitment way to boost her marketing skills has since unlocked entrepreneurial support and funding, helping to attract major clients and secure long-term income stretching into 2027.
Brass Tacks Comedy is built on a mission to support underrepresented voices in an industry traditionally centred around London. Katie works with comedians from diverse backgrounds, including those from economically disadvantaged communities and performers with a range of gender identities and sexual orientations.
Despite the famous Scottish sense of humour, Katie noticed that comedy was suffering from a lack of support in Scotland, with many talented acts overlooked or priced out by a London-centric industry.
Katie was awarded funding and entrepreneurial support through The Open University in Scotland after completing the Business management: marketing principles and practice microcredential course. She used the investment to build a professional website, develop marketing resources and create systems that have since attracted bigger clients and multi-date tours.
Katie Palmer, founder of Brass Tacks Comedy said: “I didn’t know any of this support existed. I signed up for a 10-week course because I thought it would be useful. It ended up opening so many doors to me and my business.
“Working with The Open University in Scotland’s Open Enterprise Network has been transformative. The ongoing support has made a huge difference to the business. The team is brilliant at spotting and sending on opportunities to access funding that I would never have known existed otherwise.
“It’s given me the confidence to think bigger and actually go for things. Having someone genuinely invested in your success, who takes the time to understand what you’re building and makes you feel like your business is worth backing is game changing. That validation has been just as valuable as the funding itself.
“Since receiving the funding, I’ve attracted more clients and bigger comedians who want to tour with me. The biggest tour I’ll have worked on is now booked for 2027, which means long-term income and the confidence to hire my first employee. I’ve also had the confidence to apply for follow on funding from other bodies.”
Katie was supported by The Open University in Scotland through its enterprise and startup support schemes, including its microfinance competition which provides equity-free funding to help students take early-stage business ideas forward.
Increasingly supporting entrepreneurs who are building businesses alongside work, caring responsibilities and life commitments, its flexible model enables students of all ages and backgrounds to study and apply learning in real time, while remaining rooted in their own communities.
Offering a strong package of support, students and recent graduates can access a wide programme of events, resources and competitions designed to help turn ideas into viable businesses.
This includes hands-on enterprise bootcamps, funding competitions such as the Open Enterprise Network Converge Microfinance Competition and a rich library of online learning covering entrepreneurship, leadership, finance, marketing and digital skills.
Supported by expert guidance and an active peer community, the Open Enterprise Network gives entrepreneurs the tools, confidence and connections to build and grow businesses wherever they are based across Scotland.
For example, The Open University has supported four Edinburgh-based start-ups thus far: Katie’s Brass Tacks Comedy, ultra-endurance races and events business, Primeval, creative social enterprise To Be Read and outdoor advertising agency, Rider Ads.
In Edinburgh, The Open University in Scotland is supporting 1815 students, 72% of whom are in employment and 19% don’t have traditional university entrance qualifications. Through its initiatives, the University is helping students move from idea to trading in a practical and sustainable way.
Jane Grant, Depute Director of External Engagement and Partnerships at The Open University in Scotland, said Katie’s experience reflected the university’s unique approach to entrepreneurship.
She said: “As Scotland’s national university for widening access and lifelong learning, we are proud to support entrepreneurial students across Scotland, including those in rural, coastal and community-based settings, who may face barriers to accessing traditional campus-based education.
Our model is designed to meet individuals where they are, allowing them to develop skills and ideas alongside their work and life commitments, and turn ambition into action, no matter where they are based.
“We are nurturing a range of businesses that prioritise inclusivity, community impact and the values of diversity, just like Katie’s. By supporting students with inclusive aims, we’re not just helping them build businesses, but enabling them to create ventures that reflect the communities they serve.
“These businesses are rooted in local values, bringing opportunities and support to areas that have often been overlooked by mainstream industries. In turn, they contribute to a more sustainable and resilient economy across Scotland, where businesses are not only focused on profit but also on making a positive, lasting impact on their communities.
“This approach ensures that entrepreneurship is accessible to all, fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for business growth and development.”
Comedy fans looking for their next night out can explore upcoming shows and book tickets now by visiting www.brasstackscomedy.com/whats-on
Cottage cheese is making a comeback and Scotmid is at the forefront, offering two new products in stores nationwide now.
The humble dairy staple taking over social media feeds and shopping lists alike, has recently gained online traction amongst health-conscious consumers for being a high protein, versatile ingredient that can be used in a wealth of creations including whipped pancakes, flatbreads and even ice cream.
For one East Lothian dairy farm though, cottage cheese is nothing new. Yester Farm Dairies – a third-generation family business run by husband-and-wife team Simon and Jackie McCreery – has been perfecting recipes over the last decade.
The award-winning duo, who first began pasteurising their milk in 2003 to supply milk and cream locally before expanding by converting farm buildings into modern cheese and yoghurt making facilities in 2015, today offer one of the only on-farm dairy processors in Scotland.
The journey from cow to product is measured in metres, not miles, with milk from its herd of over 350 cows produced on-site and ready for shelves within just two days. This “field to fridge” approach helps maximise freshness, reduce food miles and ensure full traceability — helping the business stand out in Scotmid’s Scottish Favourites competition.
As a result, Yester Farm Dairies will now see its products stocked across Scotland, marking the biggest retail rollout in the family business’s history and reaching 120 Scotmid stores.
Simon McCreery, at Yester Farm Dairies, said:“We’re incredibly proud to have won a Scottish Favourites place and to now be launching into Scotmid stores across Scotland.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for us — and we’re excited to see more customers discovering our products.”
Scotmid’s Scottish Favourites initiative, delivered in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink, helps local producers grow by giving them access to retail shelves and new audiences.
Steve Addison, Local Sourcing Manager at Scotmid, said: “Scottish Favourites is all about backing great local producers, and Yester Farm Dairies stood out for both quality and freshness.
“At a time when demand for high-protein foods is growing, it’s fantastic to be able to offer customers a locally produced option that’s made with care and reaches shelves quickly.
“Supporting businesses like Yester Farm is a key part of what we do — strengthening local supply chains while giving customers access to great Scottish produce.”
Customers can purchase Yester Farm’s cottage cheese and soft cheese in Scotmid stores across Scotland from 15th April , priced at £1.79 for 300g and £2.19 for 300g respectively.
Seagull Trust Cruises’ at Ratho is proud to announce the launch of a new series of Audio‑Described Canal Cruises, developed in partnership with RNIB Scotland to make Scotland’s waterways more accessible to people who are blind or partially sighted.
The charity’s initiative marks a significant step forward in inclusive leisure experiences, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the beauty, history and tranquillity of the Union Canal.
The Audio‑Described Cruises have been carefully designed, in conjunction with Netherlands firm “Great Guide Magic” to offer a rich, immersive journey. The audio GPS system holds over 50 tracks which is triggered automatically by GPS and provides vivid, real‑time narration that brings the canal environment to life describing wildlife, historic landmarks, boat movements and the unique sounds and sensations of travelling by water.
Stuart Rennie, Immediate Past Chair of Seagull Trust Cruises Ratho Branch, said the organisation is committed to removing barriers to participation. “Our mission has always been to offer free, therapeutic cruises for people who need them most.
“Working with RNIB Scotland allows us to extend that mission even further. These Audio‑Described Cruises open up the canal in a new way, ensuring that passengers are not restricted to their seats and are able to enjoy the open foredeck while still listening to the commentary on the wireless headsets.”
RNIB Scotland has supported the project with specialist guidance to ensure the narration meets the needs of blind and partially sighted passengers.
Jane Coates, Senior Social Action Community Manager, RNIB Scotland, welcomed the collaboration: “Accessible leisure opportunities are vital for wellbeing and social inclusion.
!We’re delighted to work with Seagull Trust Cruises to create an experience that is not only enjoyable but genuinely empowering.”
The cruises will run on selected dates throughout the season from the Ratho base, with advance booking recommended. As with all Seagull Trust Cruises outings, the Audio‑Described Cruises are completely free of charge, supported by volunteers and charitable donations.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to accessibility, community and the belief that Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage should be open to all.
