Please donate festive food items to Fresh Start!
Fresh Start support hundreds of families and individuals with festive food hampers for Christmas time so that everyone can enjoy a Happy Christmas 
If you can, please donate festive food items that will be distributed across Edinburgh in the run up to Christmas.
Fresh Start is open for donations Monday to Thursday 9am-4pm and Fridays 9am-1pm
Musselburgh Racecourse underlined its position as one of Scotland’s leading racecourses with an “exemplary” rating in four categories of a leading quality assurance scheme.
The East Lothian track received top tier rankings in the AA’s Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme, with an impressive overall score of 94.03% across all judged categories.
The AA’s Quality Assured Scheme has replaced the previous VisitScotland Quality Assured Scheme in which Musselburgh consistently achieved five star status each year.
The AA assessor found Musselburgh to be “exemplary” in four categories – Spotless and Sparkling, Staff Customer Services, Warmest Welcome and Taste of the Racecourses – Food.
The report said: “Musselburgh Racecourse is an appealing venue that offers regular racegoers, families, and casual visitors an excellent day out. The course is immaculately maintained, with a stunning coastal and countryside backdrop that creates an excellent first impression.”
The racecourse achieved a score of 94.4% in the general Racecourse assessment, 94.6% for its Catering, 95.2% for Bars, and an outstanding 98.8% for its Staff, which included customer care, efficiency and knowledge of the racecourse. In all other categories – Pre Arrival, Arrival & Departure, Cleanliness and Toilets, it was given a 90% approval rating.
The AA assessor said: “The staff at Musselburgh Racecourse play a significant role in creating a welcoming and enjoyable experience for visitors.
“From the moment visitors arrive, they are met with friendly and professional team members eager to assist and ensure everything runs smoothly throughout the visit. The level of customer service is impressive.
“The staff are approachable, polite, and well-informed about the races and the venue. Their warm and approachable nature makes visitors feel comfortable and well looked after. The hospitality staff, including those at the bars and restaurants, provide excellent service. They are attentive and ensure that food and drinks are served quickly and to a high standard.”
Musselburgh Racecourse Commercial & Operations Director, Sarah Montgomery, said: “The consistently high scoring across key categories underlines our commitment to giving race goers, owners and regular and casual visitors alike, an experience to remember when enjoying a day at the races at Musselburgh.
“The overall rating of 94% and 90% plus ratings across all categories in the AA’s Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme is the icing on the cake of another successful year for the racecourse.
“These ratings speak to the wonderful efforts of racecourse staff at all levels who pull together each and every race day to provide excellent service, value for money, and an enthusiasm which translates into a hard-to-beat visitor experience.
“We, of course, will take on board all of the AA’s recommendations and pointers to ensure we improve year on year and continue to perform at the highest level.”
Musselburgh Racecourse has consistently been recognised for the high standards it sets and in 2023 was named the UK’s Champion Racecourse in the industry-wide Racecourse Association’s Showcase Awards.
Important information 
Saturday 23 November
We are sorry to advise that due to adverse weather and with the health and safety of all visitors and staff in mind, Castle of Light has been cancelled tonight, Saturday 23 November.
Your tickets can be used at your original booked timeslot on any of our remaining event dates, which can be found on our website. You do not need to get in touch, just show your tickets when you arrive for your timeslot and our castle team will be able to help.
We are sorry for the inconvenience caused but we hope to welcome you to the event at a later date
Due to extreme weather #ChristmasAtTheBotanics is closed today, Saturday 23 November. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Today’s ticket holders will be contacted shortly by Ticketekand informed of the re-booking process.
To mark the countdown to Christmas, some of the most loved holiday classics are being brought back to the big screen at Vue venues in Edinburgh this festive season.
Providing a yuletide treat for film fans and families alike, this year marks milestone anniversaries for a variety of iconic Christmas films – all returning home to the big screen this November and December.
A festive animated adventure that everyone can get on board with, The Polar Express returns to Vue on 29 November after its initial release 20 years ago. Following the enchanting tale of a young boy who goes on a magical adventure to the North Pole, The Polar Express is a charming tale about believing in the magic of Christmas which has become a family favourite over the past two decades.
Christmas critter caper Gremlins is also celebrating an anniversary at Vue this year, marking 40 years since Gizmo and the gang made their debut on the big screen.
In the small town of Kingston Falls, teenager Billy Peltzer gets an unusual present that comes with a lot more responsibility than he ever expected – the fuzzy Mogwai, a creature he needs to follow a specific set of instructions for or else. This beloved holiday creature comedy returns to Vue on 6 December.
At Vue Edinburgh Omni, a true cinematic Christmas classic returns as this year also marks the 70-year anniversary of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. This legendary festive favourite follows a group of singers who hope to plan a yuletide miracle to help a local country inn owner in a fun-filled musical extravaganza that is sure to put you in a jolly mood when it returns to Vue on 20 December.
Some more festive favourites heading to Vue include the heartfelt romantic comedy Love Actually, screening from 13 December, and the iconic It’s A Wonderful Life, screening on 20 December.
There’s also a handful of comedy crackers coming to Vue include Will Ferrell’s Elf, screening from 22 November, andJim Carrey’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas, screening from 6 December.
Family favourites such as Home Alone (from 22 November), The Muppet Christmas Carol (from 13 December) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (from 20 December)wrap up the schedule of winter classics, all of which can be enjoyed at Vue with the ultimate seat, screen and sound experience.
There’s also the opportunity to give the gift of big screen entertainment this year with a Vue Gift Card – the ultimate present for film lovers and for families looking to spend quality time together.
A Vue Gift Card can be redeemed towards film tickets, as well as all ticket upgrades, refreshments and snacks to share whilst enjoying the best that the big screen has to offer.
Robert Smith, General Manager of Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: ‘Christmas is all about spending quality time with friends and family, creating treasured moments to last a lifetime.
“We’re glad to be marking the merry occasion with a line-up of some of the most iconic Christmas classics, specially curated to for our customers to enjoy and help them get in the festive spirit ahead of the big day. There’s no better place to watch the likes of Home Alone and The Polar Express than the big screen.’
Tickets available from just £6.99 when booked online. To find out more visit:
Christmas Season Line-up at Vue
Home Alone – From now
Elf – From now
The Polar Express (20th Anniversary) – From 29 November
How The Grinch Stole Christmas – From 6 December
Gremlins (40th Anniversary) – From 6 December
The Muppets Christmas Carol – From 13 December
Love Actually – From 13 December
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York – From 20 December
White Christmas (70th Anniversary) – From 20 December
It’s a Wonderful Life – From 20 December
Retail trade union Usdaw has a delegation of members, reps and officials attending the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) Disabled Workers’ Conference in Glasgow on 23 and 24 November.
Usdaw is calling for delegates to adopt a social model understanding of disability and to support action to end bullying and harassment of disabled people.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says: “We are deeply concerned that large numbers of disabled workers are exposed to bullying and harassment at work. Young workers, women, LGBT+ and Black disabled workers are disproportionately impacted because of their unique combination of protected characteristics.
“While bullying and harassment takes many forms and affects workers differently, it can have a profoundly damaging impact on mental and physical health, on an individual’s personal and working life and on workplace cultures. Stereotypes about disabled people fuel discrimination and less favourable treatment.
“They prevent disabled people getting into work, remaining in work and getting on in work. They also have broader implications and can limit how disabled workers behave in the workplace as they seek to avoid situations and people that might put them at further risk.
“Harassment and bullying at work are part of a larger pattern of discrimination experienced by disabled people. Disabled workers, disability organisations and trade unions need to be consulted about the design and implementation of effective and preventative workplace interventions.”
Usdaw is asking the STUC to lobby the Scottish and Westminster governments to:
Paddy Lillis continued: “The social model of disability is fundamental to eliminating discrimination and achieving equality and inclusion for disabled people. However, the medical model continues to dominate the law and the way in which employers understand and respond to disabled workers.
“This maintains and condones continued exclusion and inequality in the workplace. In Scotland, although the disability employment gap has reduced, disabled people still have a significantly lower employment rate than non-disabled people.
“Employers’ continued focus on ‘adjusting’ the worker – rarely the workplace – and removing barriers reinforces the widespread stereotype of disabled people as creating a ‘burden on business’.
“This shifts the onus onto the disabled worker to repeatedly demonstrate what they can’t do, rather than on employers to make workplaces accessible. Disabled workers are increasingly seeing adjustments removed, including adjustments to absence levels and performance targets, leading to disciplinary action and dismissal.
“Where this happens, the failure of employers to adopt a social model understanding ‘individualises’ disabled workers’ responses to discrimination and pushes them into seeking justice via internal grievance and legal procedures where the odds are stacked against them.”
Usdaw is asking the STUC, in consultation with the Disabled Workers’ Committee, to encourage unions to:
A report has shown how partnership working between the Scottish Government and councils is helping to deliver on community priorities.
Signed in June 2023, the Verity House Agreement sets out principles for the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), the representative body of all 32 councils, working together to empower local communities, tackle poverty, transform the economy and provide high-quality public services.
The Verity House Stocktake report highlights joint work on local government pay, enabling councils to double the full rate of council tax on second homes, delivering a new national allowance for foster and kinship carers, and close engagement around the Circular Economy Bill.
Finance and Local Government Secretary Shona Robison said the stocktake illustrated the value of the Agreement in its first year and how early, open and regular dialogue has helped to navigate challenges.
Ms Robison said: “The Verity House Agreement has built the foundations for us to work alongside local government in a more positive and proactive way, which enables meaningful and effective delivery of our shared priorities for the benefit of our communities.
“A key priority for Scottish Government and COSLA over the coming year will be to identify opportunities to improve our partnership approach, to fully reflect our shared ambitions such as tackling child poverty and improving public services.”
Councillor Shona Morrison, President of COSLA, said: “During the first year of the Verity House Agreement whilst we have seen some significant challenges, there have been positive results in many areas where adherence to the VHA principles have proved their worth.
“It is for this reason that COSLA welcomes publishing this joint review and why we remain firmly committed to those principles. We believe that embedding the principles will not only help us overcome the challenges that remain but will continue to enhance and improve the critical relationship between both spheres of government in Scotland.”
Verity House Agreement – Stocktake One Year On – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), the charity behind The Haven, a wellbeing and resilience pilot, developed to tackle Scotland’s mental health crisis says it is overwhelmed by its success in its first year.
The service opened at The Fraser Centre in Tranent in September 2023 and is the first centre to open under the Charity’s ‘No Time To Wait’ strategy. Over its first twelve months, the service operated for three afternoons a week, and attracted 2,412 visits. Of these visits, 1,360 were children and young people and 1,052 were their affected family members.
Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC said: “We are incredibly proud of the success of The Haven over its first year. Poor mental health is one of the biggest challenges of this generation and to have been able to support so many young people, and their families, struggling with their mental health is really inspiring.
“The Haven model has been created by experts and delivered by hugely passionate and committed members of our team, but it is not a complex or complicated process. This is a model that can be taken and delivered all over the country, it simply needs the will and the funding.
“If we, as a charity, can evidence this much success in one pilot service in just twelve months, imagine how many people dealing with poor mental health could be helped if this model was scaled up and rolled out throughout Scotland.”
The Haven aims to support families with children struggling with their mental health and prevent problems escalating to the point where professional intervention is needed. Of those who have attended in the last year, the most common issues are around anxiety and depression, followed by challenges in the school environment and school attendance, neurodiversity and self harming, and less commonly, suicidal ideation and eating disorders.
A parent who has used The Haven said: “When we all felt at our lowest point we contacted The Haven. Everyone there genuinely cares.
“Our son found it a safe space to open up and talk. The support The Haven provides us as parents is invaluable. We know the team is on our side and has helped us to realise what we are doing is right. I always look forward to our chats.”
The Haven is open to any child or young person with a mental health concern, and any member of their family, including parents, carers, siblings and grandparents. Due to its success, The Haven will next month move to new premises and will open five days a week.
With bigger facilities, longer opening hours and a larger catchment area, The Haven will be able to support even more people across the Knox Academy postcode area as well as the Ross High School area, from its new premises in Haddington.
Fiona O’Sullivan is Director of Children’s Wellbeing at ECHC, she said: “The Haven is unique as it supports the whole family and recognises that when a child or young person is suffering as a result of poor mental health this can have a massive detrimental impact on the rest of the family.
“Our service exists to support the child, the parent, the grandparent, the auntie, the carer, whomever is closest to the child in need.
“We are thrilled that The Haven is able to expand its service for the remainder of the pilot. Part of the purpose of the pilot was to ascertain the scale of demand, and our data from the first twelve months has simply confirmed to us what we already knew, that children and young people are crying out for help.”
The Haven will close its doors permanently in July 2025, at which point ECHC is willing to hand over the model and findings from the pilot to any organisation willing to take The Haven model and roll it out more permanently.
Roslyn Neely added: “Our entire team is completely invested in The Haven and the thought of it closing at this point is almost unbearable, but it was always the intention this would be a two-year pilot, and as a charity we sadly can’t fund and resource this forever.
“It is our vision that every community in every local authority area across Scotland will have a Haven for those who need it. The model has shown without any doubt that it works, and at the end of the pilot we hope to demonstrate that, at the very least, it has provided valuable support and intervention which has helped a child and their family to cope better with their situation; and at best, may have negated the need for CAMHS support later down the line.”
Edinburgh Napier University celebrated student films from around the world at the inaugural Napier Student Film Festival, held from 13 – 15th November 2024.
The event brought together student filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts in a dynamic celebration of creativity and storytelling through the art of filmmaking.
Award Winners:
Evans Eghan, President of Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association (ENSA), said: “The Napier Student Film Festival is more than just a platform for showcasing student films; it’s a hub for creativity, collaboration, and growth.
“By bringing together filmmakers, academics, and industry professionals, we aim to foster a community where emerging talents can thrive and build connections that will shape their future careers.”
The festival, organised by ENSA, featured an array of engaging activities, including:
The festival culminated in an exciting awards ceremony, celebrating outstanding achievements in student filmmaking.
The events not only highlighted the immense talent of student filmmakers but also encouraged collaboration across departments and with external partners. Attendees and participants offered resounding praise, commending the festival’s impact on fostering talent, creating networking opportunities, and elevating the role of film in education and community building.
Looking ahead, the festival aims to become a cornerstone event within the university and the wider Edinburgh community. Plans for future editions include expanding the festival’s reach, enhancing collaborations with local creative industries, and positioning Edinburgh Napier as a leading institution for nurturing creative talent.
Officers will be deployed over the weekend to support #WinterCity.
Whilst we want to welcome everyone and ensure a good time is had by all, your safety is our primary concern.
Please be aware of the YELLOW WEATHER WARNING issued by the Met Office which will see heavy rain and snow fall across most parts of Scotland throughout Saturday 23rd November.
Please only travel if it is safe to do so and consider postponing your visit to another date. There’s still plenty of time as #WinterCity will run until Saturday 4th January 2025.
The UK Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce was in Scotland for the first time on Thursday, hearing from child poverty charities, experts, parents and children in Glasgow as it develops plans for an ambitious, cross-Government strategy to drive down child poverty.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, who co-chairs the Taskforce, said that tackling child poverty is back where it should be – at the top of the UK Government’s agenda – and that driving down child poverty across Scotland was a key priority.
The visit comes following last month’s Budget announcement of a new ‘Fair Repayment Rate’ in Universal Credit, making 110,000 of Scotland’s poorest households better off from next April.
On average, households will each benefit by £420 a year. The new rate means Universal Credit deductions will be capped at 15 per cent, down from 25 per cent.
This move comes alongside the rise in the Minimum Wage, which will benefit 3 million of the lowest paid workers by up to £1,400 year, and wider action the UK Government is taking to Make Work Pay and create more good jobs in every part of the country including in clean energy and through its modern industrial strategy.
With more than 200,000 children living in poverty in Scotland, and over 33,000 in Glasgow City, Liz Kendall MP heard the vast scale of the challenge facing communities and what is already being done locally to tackle the issue, including two child poverty ‘pathfinders’ in Glasgow and Dundee aiming to provide joined up support for families.
After hearing from families, leading organisations, the Scottish Government and public bodies with vital roles in children’s lives spanning from health to housing, including Public Health Scotland and the Scotland’s Children Commissioner, shared their insight and learnings with the Secretary of State at a roundtable discussion.
Charities including Aberlour, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Scotland and One Parent Families Scotland attended the event, as did the Scotland Minister for Equalities Kaukab Stewart MSP, the UK Minister for Employment Alison McGovern MP, and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, Kirsty McNeill MP.
Both governments have pledged to work closely together to achieve the common aim of making sure every child in Scotland has the support they need to reach their full potential.
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray is part of the Child Poverty Taskforce, which met earlier this week on the theme of increasing parents’ earned incomes, building employment stability and enabling progression in work.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP: “Tackling child poverty is a priority for the UK Government, and a personal priority for me.
“It is a moral stain on this country that there are now over 4 million children in the UK living in poverty, including 200,000 in Scotland.
“That is why the work of our Child Poverty Taskforce is so urgent. We will look at all the levers available at our disposal across Government to drive down poverty and drive-up opportunity for children and families in every corner of the UK.
“Scottish families and organisations are at the heart of our ambitious plans. The experiences and ideas they shared today are critical to our work to give all children in Scotland – and across the UK – the very best start in life.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill: “Hearing such stark and painful accounts from families about their daily struggles has been hugely humbling but a vitally important reminder about why we must and will reduce child poverty across the whole of the UK.
“It’s a national shame that more than 200,000 children are living in poverty in Scotland. We are taking action – the UK Budget progressed our commitment to transforming the lives of Scottish children facing poverty, and we’re making work pay to improve living standards by raising the minimum wage and making the biggest improvements to workers’ rights in a generation.
“But we know there’s much more to be done and the testimonies of these families is key in shaping our next steps. By joining together with the Scottish Government and with other agencies and charities we will work to boost incomes, improve financial resilience and ensure better local support.”
Aberlour, CEO, SallyAnn Kelly OBE: “We welcome the UK Child Poverty Taskforce coming to Scotland to hear about and better understand the impact of poverty on the lives of children and families.
“We hope the Taskforce has heard what Aberlour has to say, and more importantly what families have told them, and will take away those calls on how to reduce and tackle child poverty.
“We know that this will require urgent action to respond to what children and families need to alleviate the impact of poverty in their lives right now, as well as long term actions to achieve our shared ambition to end child poverty for good.”
Fellow co-chair, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, met with the Minister for Northern Ireland, Fleur Anderson, in Belfast, along with several key poverty organisations including Action for Children NI and Save the Children NI, as the Taskforce brings in voices from across the UK.
As part of the regular and widespread engagement on developing the Child Poverty Strategy, for the first time all the devolved governments and the UK Government met together on this issue last week.
This comes as the Government prepares to launch the Get Britain Working White Paper including plans to overhaul Jobcentres and join up work, health and skills plans to help people get back into work and get on in work, so they can build a better life for them and their families.
