A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a fire raising incident in North Edinburgh.
The incident happened on Silverknowes Road in the early hours of Tuesday morning (8th February).
The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp said: “We are grateful to everyone who assisted with our investigation into this incident.”
New data reveals the shocking amount of money being spent on rent every month, on top of drastic cost of living increases set for April
New data by flatshare site SpareRoom reveals the shocking amount of money being spent on rent every month, with over 80% of renters spending more than 30% of their take home pay on rent, and almost one in three (29%) handing over more than 50% of their pay.
People spending more than 30% of their household income on rent are traditionally considered ‘rent burdened’, those who spend over 50% are considered ‘severely rent burdened’. SpareRoom’s data shows the majority of renters are currently ‘rent burdened’. This means many will already have difficulties affording necessities including food, transport and medical care on top of rent, not to mention finding money for increases in living costs come spring.
With increased energy bills and national insurance costs looming, women are most likely to feel the pinch, with over 85% spending 30% or more of their income on rent, compared to 75% of men, highlighting the affordability gap between men and women.
Unsurprisingly the data showed people in London, South East and South West England are spending more of their take home pay on rent than in other regions – 84% of Londoners, 83% of South East and 82% of South West spend over 30% of their salary on rent*.
The pandemic saw rents drop in London and increase everywhere else, but recent data from SpareRoom’s Rental Index now shows the capital’s rents are back on the up, which will no doubt cause more of an affordability issue for Londoners.
Matt Hutchinson, SpareRoom director comments: “The general rule of thumb for affordability has always been that you should spend around 30% of your income on rent.
“Even before the pandemic hit that definition felt outdated, but we’re about to see people’s financial situations hit hard over the coming months and years. With over 80% of the UK already rent burdened, and almost a third spending over half of their salary on rent, people are already feeling the squeeze.
“Although wages are rising, they aren’t growing fast enough to make up for cost of living increases that are rising at their fastest pace for 30 years**. This doesn’t just affect renters, it also makes life difficult for the huge numbers of young people who moved back home to their family over the course of the pandemic, not to mention those who were already there.”
Survey conducted by SpareRoom in January 2022 with 11,130 respondents
* What % of your monthly take home pay goes on rent?
| Region | Over 30% of salary on rent | Over 50% of salary on rent |
| East Anglia | 80% | 29% |
| East Midlands | 73% | 25% |
| North East | 65% | 17% |
| North West | 74% | 24% |
| Northern Ireland | 52% | 13% |
| Scotland | 73% | 30% |
| South East | 83% | 32% |
| South West | 82% | 31% |
| Wales | 75% | 28% |
| West Midlands | 73% | 26% |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | 69% | 21% |
| London | 84% | 30% |
The new Adult Disability Payment will open for applications in three pilot areas from 21 March 2022.
Legislation unanimously approved today by the Scottish Parliament means that working age disabled people, those with a long-term health condition and people who have a terminal illness should apply for disability assistance to the new Scottish system.
Applications will open first for those living in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles council areas.
This payment will be the twelfth to be delivered by the Scottish Government and will replace Personal Independence Payment, which is currently delivered by the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions.
Adults of working age with a disability or health condition, who are not already in receipt of Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance, and living in the pilot areas, will be the first to be able to apply.
Further council areas will be introduced in phases until Adult Disability Payment rolls out nationwide on 29 August.
People already receiving DWP payments will not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment. Their awards will transfer to the Scottish social security system automatically, beginning in August.
This will be done safely and securely so that people will still get the same amount of money, to the same account. The date of their first payment will be confirmed in writing before they transfer.
Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said: “The unanimous passing of the regulations for Adult Disability Payment is a significant milestone for Scotland’s social security system. It means we can now take a very different approach to delivering disability benefits – in comparison to the current DWP system – and our focus is on providing a positive and compassionate experience for people applying for and receiving our new benefit.
“We know people have found applying for DWP disability benefits stressful in the past. That is why we have listened to their experiences and designed our new system to work for people, not against them. We are committed to doing things differently – we are ensuring that accessing Adult Disability Payment is as straightforward as possible and we will always start from a position of trust.
“Importantly, we have abolished assessments in the form currently undertaken by the DWP. Instead, and only where required, we will hold consultations between the person and a Social Security Scotland health or social care practitioner. Our consultations will not involve functional examinations.
“To ensure we don’t create a two tiered system as we complete safe and secure transfer, we are largely keeping the eligibility criteria for Adult Disability Payment the same, ahead of a two stage independent review of Adult Disability Benefit.
“This review will begin later in the year, to consider what further changes and improvements could, and should, be made in the future.”
This spring, The Ivy on the Square is proud to be celebrating the Six Nations Championship with an array of limited-edition cocktails. With the first games taking place in 1883, the Six Nations has spanned over three centuries, making it one of the most-loved events in the sporting calendar.
Created by the restaurant’s talented bar team, each cocktail represents one of the six nations taking part in the championship. Delicious creations include the Scotts on the Rocks (top), (£9.75) featuring Plymouth gin, Chivas 12 year, ginger juice, lemon juice and clear honey, The Emerald Isle, (£9.75) consisting of Jameson, Lillet Rouge, Cointreau, lime juice, and a dash of whiskey barrel bitters (above).
Then there’s The G.O.A.T, (£9.50) a mix of Plymouth gin, Plymouth sloe gin, lemon juice and lavender syrup, garnished with a lavender sprig,
Le Coqs, (£12.75) which includes, Beefeater gin, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, sugar syrup and topped with The Ivy Champagne,
English Rose, (£9.75) featuring Beefeater gin, Pimm’s and Elderflower cordial, topped with Fever Tree lemonade and garnished with a mint sprig, and finally the Zesty Italian, (£10.95) a tantalising mix of Malfy Aranciata gin, Barolo Chinato, Campari and a dash of whisky barrel bitters.
Agata Lubera, General Manager at The Ivy on the Square, comments: “Now that the Six Nations has officially kicked off, we’re excited for Scotland’s patriotic fans to come together and join us in the heart of the city centre.
“We hope the latest additions to our already extensive cocktail menu will go down a treat as we honour this historical sporting event. We look forward to welcoming guests from all over the world to enjoy the atmosphere the games bring to Edinburgh.”
The Six Nations Championship cocktails are available at The Ivy on the Square from Saturday, 5 February to Saturday, 19 March.
To book a table, visit TheIvyEdinburgh.com
Average UK rents are tracking at almost £1000pcm – £62 more than at the start of the pandemic – against a backdrop of increased living costs squeezing households, reports Zoopla, the UK’s leading property portal, in its quarterly Rental Market Report.
UK rents squeeze disposable household income as cost of living rises
The UK’s average rental growth has reached a 13 year high, up 8.3% in Q4 2021, meaning households who agree new lets are now having to pay an additional average annual cost of £744, compared to the start of the pandemic (March 2020).
This increase means that a single earner can now expect to spend 37% of their gross income on rent, which is up from 34% during most of 2021. However, this now brings the figure broadly back in line with the longer term average of 36% as rental growth rises in line with wage growth.
Even with the current sharp rise, the overall increase in UK rents over the last five years totals 12% thanks to the decline in rents seen in some areas during the pandemic.
Rental market shrinks as demand creates fast-paced rental landscape
The New Year has seen heightened demand for rental properties, up +76% compared to the New Year markets between 2018 and 2021. Yet the supply of rental properties recorded in January 2022 in the UK is 39% below levels typically observed at the start of the year. This is creating competition in the market, with the imbalance of supply and demand ultimately spurring rental growth.
As a result, properties are being snapped up. In London, this means renters are having to move quickly to secure the perfect property with the time to let now averaging a fortnight, down from three weeks in late 2020.
This shrinking stock of homes for rent can be attributed to a continued decrease in buy-to-let investment over the last five years.. As rents rise, more renters will be choosing to stay in their properties, limiting stock turnover. With supply squeezed, it’s likely that continued demand will underpin more modest rental growth in the coming months, especially in city centres.
However, as the spike in demand falls back – hampered by the increases in household costs – it will reduce pressure on supply, ultimately driving more local competition to attract renters in local markets.
City centre rents continue upward growth trajectory
Pandemic trends saw strong growth in rental demand in wider commuter zones as renters embraced the ‘search for space’, but demand has now recovered across the central districts of all major cities including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester in a reversal of recent behaviour. This is largely driven by pent up demand from office workers, students, and international residents and investors who are looking for city centre living.
This is a normalisation of rental behaviour as demand once again rises in more central zones – seen most prominently in inner London with rental growth of 11% compared to the same time last year. But given the steep fall in London rents during the pandemic, this translates to an increase of just £18 per month in rent compared to March 2020.
Gráinne Gilmore, Head of Research, Zoopla, comments: “Rents have risen sharply in recent months, amid a backdrop of rising living costs. But it is important to point out that in terms of rental affordability, in most markets rents are still close to the 10-year average. As demand continues to outpace supply, there will be further upward pressure on rents, but affordability considerations will act as a brake on large rises.
“In addition, the January peak in rental demand will start to ease in the coming months, putting less severe pressure on supply, which will lead to more local market competition, and more modest rental increases.
“The flooding of rental demand back into city centres thanks to office workers, students and international demand returning to cities means the post-pandemic ‘recalibration’ of the rental market is well underway.”
James Evans, CEO at Douglas & Gordon, comments: “Since the beginning of the year, we have seen a clear trend of people coming back to London and the office. This has contributed to around a 40% increase in new lettings applicants compared to the same month last year.
“As there is also still a very restricted supply of properties, we’re seeing landlords achieve record prices, a high quality of tenant and almost no void periods. With competition for properties at the level it is, there are 35-40 new applicants for every rental property in London and around four offers received per agreed let, so tenants are having to put themselves in the best position possible to get the properties they want.
“Following a strong sales market in 2021, and more confidence in future price increases in London, we are seeing more buy to let investors entering the market. With some of the recent legislation changes, the need for a quality agent is even greater.”
* Based on new lets as recorded by Zoopla
AN EDINBURGH care home has recorded a strong bounce back from the last two years of lockdowns – with record occupancy numbers as it looks to expand its team for 2022.
Despite the challenges brought on the care home sector, Cramond Residence is optimistic for the year ahead with occupancy rates up 65% on this point last year.
The home is set to hire additional members of staff to take its team to more than 100, in response to the continued growing demand.
Located in Cramond, the care home was launched in late 2018 and offers uncompromising nurse-led care, as well as respite and dementia specialist services and offers small group living in nine luxuriously-appointed homes.
Throughout the pandemic it has been able to use its purpose-built layout and cutting-edge air filtration system and laundry facilities to minimise cross-infection.
Christian Daraio, Client Liaison Manager at Cramond Residence said: “After an unprecedented two years for the industry, we finally have positive momentum.
“Our clients and their families are placing their trust in us and we’re thrilled to be reaching record occupancy levels.
“The biggest obstacle we now have to us providing care for more older people is recruitment. We’re hopeful that we can cut through the current workforce crisis by offering some of the highest salaries in Edinburgh, competitive terms and conditions and a great team environment.
“Putting the wellbeing of our residents and staff has been and continues to be our main priority and as we continue on the path to normality, we are looking forward to increasing our offering over the coming months.”
The home is looking for applications from lifestyle coordinators, qualified nurses and catering assistants, with particularly high demand for nursing staff and care assistants.
Included in the home’s current offering for residents is a tailored monthly activity programme, curated by its dedicated lifestyle team, bespoke physiotherapy sessions by boutique physiotherapy experts, Balanced as well as specialist dementia care.
Throughout the duration of the pandemic, the home offered a range of virtual activities, including linking up with the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions to deliver a programme of interactive tours of some of Scottish most famous attractions, to keep residents stimulated and engaged.
Cramond Residence offers high quality care for up to 74 residents offering a small-group living concept in nine houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from a highly-trained team.
To find out more, call 0131 341 4037 or visit https://cramondresidence.co.uk/
Pupils in Aberdeen were joined by special guests on Monday to celebrate the strides they have been making to get more active on the school run and to launch the search for the UK’s best young designers.
Cllr Malik, the Education Convener joined pupils from St Joseph’s Catholic RC Primary School in Aberdeen to hear first-hand the benefits they have experienced from walking to school.
St Joseph’s RC Primary School takes part in WOW – the walk to school challenge from Living Streets Scotland, part of the UK charity for everyday walking.
WOW is a pupil-led initiative where children self-report how they get to school every day using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker. Pupils who walk, wheel, cycle or scoot at least once a week for a month are rewarded with a badge.
Cllr Malik joined Living Streets’ mascot, Strider, to hand out WOW badges to pupils who had travelled actively this month.
Councillor M Tauqeer Malik, Aberdeen City Council’s Education Operational Delivery Convener, said: “It is wonderful to be here today to celebrate the great work that the St Joseph’s pupils and staff are doing in partnership with Living Streets and which really ties in with our priorities as a Council.
“The health and wellbeing of our children and young people is at the heart of everything we do as can be seen from our progress towards becoming a Unicef -recognised Child Friendly City and last year’s unprecedented Summer of Play which saw us provide over 15000 free bookable activity sessions as we celebrated coming out of lockdown.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in making St Joseph’s an even healthier and happier school”.
The school event also marked the launch of Living Streets’ WOW Badge Design Competition 2022. The charity is on the hunt for the UK’s best young designers and is asking children to design the 11 badges to be awarded to pupils next academic year. This year’s theme is ‘Walk Through Time’.
Chris Thompson, School Manager, Living Streets Scotland said: “From Aberdeen to Aberystwyth, the hunt is on for the UK’s best young designers. Winners will have the pride of seeing their creations worn by pupils across Scotland, England and Wales.
“We’re encouraging pupils to stretch their imaginations and depict something from the past that they find really interesting and inspiring. This is an opportunity for originality and diversity to shine.”
To find out more about the WOW Badge Design Competition and how to enter, visit: livingstreets.org.uk/badgecomp2022
Filmmakers taking part in this year’s prestigious Gaelic short film competition FilmG 2022 have been inspired by nature, environmental issues and the great outdoors – with many of the shortlisted films exploring these topics.
Many films followed this year’s competition theme Lorg, which means search, find or trace, it could even be interpreted as footsteps, with some shortlisted films exploring the outdoors, getting closer to nature and appreciating and protecting the environment.
Nominees have now been confirmed across 17 categories and all the shortlisted films are available to watch on the FilmG website.
The competition received 91 entries this year, which covered various different stories and current events, and the judges had a tough job whittling down the entries over multiple days.
On the environmental theme, eponymous Uilleam Uaine (Green William) is in Staffin to help the pupils to make the right choices for the environment, in a film of the same name which was written and produced by pupils at Staffin Primary School on the Isle of Skye. It has been shortlisted as the Best Production (Under 12).
And a film by pupils at Sgoil Bhagh a’ Chaisteil on the Isle of Barra called ‘Cosgais A Churaim’, (The Cost of Caring) which looks into the effects of disposable face masks on our environment, has been nominated for Best Documentary.
Dihaoinean airson Teachd (Fridays of the Future) tells the story of a scientist who wants to save the world with a potion she has invented to create an Eco Superhero. However, the wrong people keep drinking it!
Made by pupils at Craighill Primary School in Tain, this film has also been shortlisted as the Best Production (Under 12).
Gaelic Medium pupils at Oban High School have been nominated for ‘GOP 26’, which is about an environmental conference GOP26 taking place in Glasgow with leaders from all over the world making speeches, but one of the speakers mysteriously goes missing. The film was shortlisted for the quality of the spoken Gaelic throughout.
Several films explore the great outdoors including a film about hillwalking and scrambling as a way to get a new perspective on the world from beyond the cold, dark glens and high above the clouds.
Called ‘Thar Nan Sgòth – Beinn Eighe’ (Above the Clouds – Beinn Eighe) this film, made by Anndra Cuimeanach from Gairloch, has been nominated for Best Documentary and Best Young Filmmaker in the Youth Category (12-17).
Also in the Youth Category a film by Emma Rose Passmore from Harris called ‘Falaichte Ann an Roghdal’ (Hidden in Rodal) which looks at the secret history of Roghdal in Harris, has been nominated for Best Documentary and Best Young Filmmaker.
In the Open category a short documentary called ‘A’ Mhuir’ (The Sea) about wild swimming and the students at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in the Isle of Skye who take part in the sport, has been nominated for Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Somhairle MacIain), Best Student Film and Best Director (Anna Garvin).
‘Am Buaile Dubh’ by Eòghan Stiùbhart from Inverness, which takes a look around Am Buaile Dubh on the outskirts of Inverness, has been nominated for Best Film, Film Duthchais (which translates as best heritage or community film), Best Performance (Eòghan Stiùbhart), Best Director and Best Script.
While a spoof of outdoor programmes called ‘Rachamaid’ by Ross Young from Inverurie has been shortlisted for Best Performance (Ross Young) and Best Student Film.
And ‘Eilean Lois’ (Lois’s Island) by Somhairle MacIain from Glasgow, which follows him and his girlfriend, Lois, as they cycled the Hebridean Way in the summer and he teaches her to speak Gaelic on the trip, has been shortlisted for Best Student Film.
This is just a few of an array of fantastic films by talented filmmakers, schools and community groups from across Scotland that have made it to the shortlists for the FilmG 2022 Short Film Competition.
Karen Elder, a journalist for An Là is a Scottish Gaelic-language news programme broadcast on the Gaelic-language channel, BBC ALBA, was one of the judges this year.She said: “It was a privilege to once again be a part of the judging panel for FilmG. There was a wide variety of films entered, from strong documentaries to comedy. It was no small task.”
You can watch shortlisted films on the FilmG website. FilmG is the Gaelic short film competition, funded by MG ALBA and delivered by Cànan Graphics Studio on the Isle of Skye.
The winners of this year’s prestigious Gaelic Short Film Competition FilmG will be revealed on BBC ALBA from 9pm on Friday, February 25 via a new, specially created, awards programme broadcast from Stornoway.
The show will be hosted by FilmG and BBC ALBA stalwarts Fiona MacKenzie and Niall Iain MacDonald.
For more information, www.filmg.co.uk
Shortlists:
Youth (Under 12) Category
| Filmmaker | Location | Film | Category | Link to Film | Description |
| Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghleann Dail (Glendale Primary School) | Glasgow | Deiseil neo aindeiseil? | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/JXLuSzXW0lk | Things go wrong when a group of pupils try and play a game of hide and seek instead of learning about it. Where did Penelope go?! |
| Bun-sgoil Achadh na Creige (Rockfield Primary School) | Oban | Lorden Bino agus Ned | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/axhZ-LBu_yw | Lorden, Bino and Ned have told the dinner ladies at Rockfield Primary School that their food is not good enough and they will make school dinners better. |
| Sgoil Staffainn (Staffin Primary School) | Isle of Skye | Tearlach san Eilean | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/eWOxlGeXD5E | Prince Charles visits Staffin |
| Bun-sgoil Dun Bheagan (Dunvegan Primary School) | Isle of Skye | Air Chall ‘s Air Lorg | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/J_eMMxhCzrc | Will one young girl’s conscience help her do the right thing? |
| Bun-sgoil Thaigh A’ Chladaich (Sandbank Primary School) | Dunoon | Coignear Air Chall | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/U2xnw4qEA5U | Five Children go to Kilmun on Halloween. Did they get away safely? They met a strange family – the Adams Family! |
| Sgoil Staffainn (Staffin Primary School) | Isle of Skye | Uilleam Uaine | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/s4wPduOWU04 | Uilleam Uaine is in Staffin to help the pupils make the right choices for the environment |
| Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige (Craighill Primary School) | Tain | Dihaoinean airson Teachd | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/MDHwFPaTmVM | A Scientist wants to save the world with a potion she has invented – to create an Eco Superhero. However, the wrong people keep drinking it! |
| Bun-sgoil Ghlinn Urchadain (Glenurquhart Primary School) | Drumnadrochit | An Iuchair Draoidheil | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/iQm8t4qOMGM | A student finds a magic key and brings it into class |
Youth (12-17) Category
| Filmmaker | Location | Film | Category | Link to film | Description |
| Parker Dawes | Ardnamurchan | Spies-R-Us | Best Film (Fluent), Best Production, Best Young Filmmaker, Best Performance (Parker Dawes) | https://youtu.be/yRN6I9rNduo | Seumas McGuffin, the best spy in the world and friend Iain stole a secret file from the most secure facility in Scotland. Here’s what happened. |
| Àrd-sgoil an Òbain (Oban High School) | Oban | GOP 26 | Best Film (Fluent) | https://youtu.be/CtVGNy2PsSg | GOP26 is taking place in Glasgow and world leaders are making speeches. But one of the speakers has gone missing! |
| Àrd-sgoil Ghearrloch (Gairloch High School) | Gairloch | An Sithiche Mu Dheireadh | Best Film (Fluent) | https://youtu.be/zt9k4zzFTfg | The Gille Dubh, has lived in the Gairloch area for centuries.But after the laird had hunted him, he was not seen again … until he appeared in our own day |
| Finlay agus Calum Morrison | Glasgow | An Taigh-Òsta | Best Film (Fluent), Best Performance (Finlay Morrison) | https://youtu.be/ziIP9d-EUg4 | Iain and Donald McRamsay explore the goings-on in the fictional village of “Ochanish”. There are some interesting characters staying there! |
| Àrd-sgoil Ile (Islay High School) | Islay | Easga Bhuidhe na Feidh | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/oARMiRNVzyQ | Is Easga Bhuidhe na Feidh as fearful as legend suggests? A group of Islay teenagers try to find out. |
| Acadamaidh Pheairt (Perth Academy) | Perth | An Amaladh a Chèile | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/2QHIWzyBXOQ | A small group of pupils leaves a classroom and see a poster offering a reward for the capture of an escaped llama. |
| Àrd-sgoil Tobar Mhoire (Tobermory High School) | Mull | Seumas Snasail | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/3gS9zxAlx7I | A young girl goes to extreme lengths to meet her idol. Is meeting your heroes ever a good idea? |
| Acadamaidh Allt a’ Mhuilinn (Millburn Academy) | Inverness | Flòraidh | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/h12m98PjC54 | Can you ever be sure who you’re talking to when you meet someone online? |
| Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh (Portree High School) | Isle of Skye | Cuidhteas | Best Production, Best Performance (Iseabail MacRae) | https://youtu.be/rcEFfex-0v4 | Three respectable wives in the Victorian Era plan a way to find independence from their husbands |
| Àrd-sgoil Loch Abar (Lochaber High School) | Fort William | Gàidsear Chreutairean | Best Production, Best Performance (Calum Stewart) | https://youtu.be/nZmPTyQF8IY | When there’s something strange in your school, who will you phone? Gàidsear Chrutairean (Creature Catcher)! |
| Àrd-sgoil Aird nam Murchan (Ardnamurchan High School) | Ardnamurchan | Beatha Iain Lom | Best Production | https://youtu.be/Rfq93GwOv_s | From birth to death- scenes from the life of one of Scotland’s best known poets. |
| Anndra Cuimeanach | Gairloch | Thar Nan Sgòth – Beinn Eighe | Best Documentary, Best Young Filmmaker | https://youtu.be/RScxxJ-3WGE | Sometimes we have to leave the cold, dark glens and climb high above each cloud. There we get a new perspective on the world. |
| Emma Rose Passmore | Harris | Falaichte Ann an Roghdal | Best Documentary, Best Young Filmmaker | https://youtu.be/ejf_w648ZVY | A look around the secret history of Roghdal in Harris |
| Keri NicIain | Inverness | Latha na Deuchainn | Best Young Filmmaker | https://youtu.be/bnzta6WQjLI | It’s exam day for the Gaelic pupils. This film picks up on the different types of student (and teachers) that you encounter during exams! |
| Sgoil Bhagh a’ Chaisteil | Isle of Barra | Cosgais A Churaim | Best Documentary | https://youtu.be/_0MUTOpstAQ | A look into the effects of disposable face masks on our environment. |
| Àrd-sgoil MhicNeacail (Nicolson Institute) | Isle of Lewis | Ceannairc | Best Documentary | https://youtu.be/hzLk-AyZRJQ | Twenty years after the 9/11 attacks, Nicolson Institute S3 students take a look back at history. |
| Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu | Glagsow | Fo Bhruid | Best Performance (Shreya Saul) | https://youtu.be/J99RYIxIQlY | A group of friends have to follow a number of clues to find out what has happened to their missing friend. |
| Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu | Glasgow | Murt Matamataig | Best Performance (Eylana McCormack) | https://youtu.be/GB_UQI3E7PE | When the maths teacher is murdered, it is up to the class to figure out who amongst them is the murderer. |
Open Category
| Filmmaker | Location | Film | Shortlisted for | ||
| Alina Brust | Edinburgh | An Taigh Solais | Best Film, Best Student Film, Best Director (Alina Brust) | https://youtu.be/EYN7y0ih9vY | A shepherd and her sheep are trapped in a strange lighthouse. |
| Innes MacLeod | Isle of Lewis | Cudaig | Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Director (Innes MacLeod) | https://youtu.be/BNe8wEbmbIs | Cudaig’s life as a Coastguard volunteer. |
| Cursa TBh Sabhal Mòr Ostaig | Isle of Skye | A’ Mhuir | Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Somhairle MacIain), Best Student Film, Best Director (Anna Garvin) | https://youtu.be/0VAitEe_uVE | A short documentary about wild swimming and the students at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig who take part in the sport. |
| Eòghan Stiùbhart | Inverness | Am Buaile Dubh | Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Eòghan Stiùbhart), Best Director, Best Script | https://youtu.be/yeKqd4ak_0k | A look around Am Buaile Dubh on the outskirts of Inverness |
| Ross Young | Inverurie | Rachamaid | Best Performance (Ross Young), Best Student Film | https://youtu.be/oxjOk9mSy6I | A spoof of outdoor programmes. |
| Somhairle MacIain | Glasgow | Eilean Lois | Best Student Film | https://youtu.be/JLQZtS7A9QU | In the summer me and my girlfriend, Lois, cycled the Hebridean Way. Lois does not speak Gaelic but I try to teach her some on our trip |
| Comunn na Gaidhlig | Nationwide | Lorgan Caluim Cille | Film Duthchais | https://youtu.be/aJkvxxkSOlA | It is the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St Columba. The Comunn na Gàidhlig team works throughout Scotland and seven of our Iomairtean Cànain (language initiatives) looked for local links with Colmcille |
| Marcas Mac An Tuairneir | Edinburgh | Crò-naomh | Best Performance (Marcas Mac An Tuairneir) | https://youtu.be/bfDLBEPTG3I | A film-poem by Marcas Mac an Tuairneir with the poem’Crò-naomh’ (‘Sacred Heart’) |
| Robbie MacLeod | Edinburgh | Lorgan | Best Performance (Robbie MacLeod), Best Script | https://youtu.be/iqY422knVeg | A film poem examining the things that go out of view, and the traces they leave behind them. |
| Clas Gàidhlig Chamelon | Falkirk | Làrach eucoir anns a’ Ghearasdan | Best Performance (Julia Gull), Best Script | https://youtu.be/R8xJpTJtuxo | A crime was committed in Fort William and the neighbours are shocked. A police officer narrows down the suspects to four people and interviews them. |
| Cheryl Heggie School of Dance + Sìne na Screen | Inverness | Thòisich e le Sreothart! | Best Script | https://youtu.be/IQ4yRWtaqbY | It started with a sneeze! The entries for the Highland dancers scatter everywhere and they end up in the wrong competitions at the Highland games |
A vision to transform Scotland’s justice sector through the COVID-19 recovery period and beyond has been published.
The new strategy will enshrine key priorities – making sure victims voices are heard, placing women and children at the heart of service delivery and reassessing the role that prisons and the use of imprisonment should play.
Specifically:
The vision will be underpinned by a requirement for the whole sector to ensure people are treated with empathy and kindness, for example by avoiding additional trauma by having to retell their stories.
The plan also enshrines the need for collaborative work across public services to improve outcomes for individuals, focussing on prevention and early intervention.
Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “This bold new vision will deliver a just, safe, and resilient sector with the needs of victims very firmly at its centre.
“Transforming the way we view and deliver justice in Scotland will ensure we properly support the most vulnerable in our society, creating a fair system that fulfils and meets the human rights of all who use it.
“This strategic blueprint sets out key priority areas including improving the experience of women and girls in a justice system historically designed by men, taking forward reform to address inequalities. It also stresses the need for a fresh look at the use of custody and firmly puts victims and the needs of victims at its centre.
“Underpinning this, the vision makes clear the need for services to be person centred and trauma informed to avoid re-traumatising people as they journey through the system. And, fundamentally, it stresses the importance of holistic early interventions that leverage the whole of government and public services to reduce offending and the causes of offending at the outset.
“I am determined to drive change and deliver better outcomes through our public services and this new framework envisions the best way to do that. We can and will deliver justice services which meet the needs of modern Scottish society.”
Dear Editor,
Your readers will have seen that our ‘every day’ stamps are changing. We are adding unique barcodes to stamps to pave the way for innovative services for our customers and to enhance the security of the postal service.
Our ‘Swap Out’ scheme will open on 31 March 2022. Customers will be able to print out a form from our website, call our Customer Experience team to ask for one or pick one up from their local Delivery Office’s Customer Service Point.
More details about our ‘Swap Out’ scheme will be announced soon, but in the meantime please be assured that all existing stamps remain valid for postage in the usual way.
Yours faithfully,
Nick Landon,
Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Mail
