The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2025 programme is now live!
Taking place across Scotland from 20 October to 9 November, this year’s festival explores the theme Comfort & Disturb.
Join us for events spanning film, theatre, music, visual art, writing, workshops and more. Events have been curated by the festival team, local communities, artists and activists, creating a wide-ranging and ambitious programme that will offer comfort to people while also disturbing the status quo.
We’re thrilled to welcome author Kent Hung on Wednesday 24th September for a special evening celebrating the release of his third novel, “Stary Stary Night”.
This story concludes his moving trilogy that began with “Letting Go” and “Entitled”—three novels that explore compassion, peace, and the journey of finding closure with the past in order to move forward in life.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kent Hung about his writing, the themes behind the trilogy, and what it means to truly heal.
Minister for Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur says a fall in the number of probable suicides last year makes him more determined to continue expanding and improving prevention work.
Official statistics from National Records of Scotland show the number of probable suicides in 2024 was 704 – a decrease of 11% compared to 2023 and the lowest number since 2017.
Visiting The Neuk mental health crisis centre in Perth, Mr Arthur said: “These figures remind us of how vital it is to support those who are struggling with their mental health.
“Every person lost to suicide is someone’s loved one and when someone takes their own life, the impact on everyone around them is devastating. My sympathy is with all those affected by the loss of a family member or friend through suicide.
“The decline in the number of probable suicides is encouraging, but we will not be complacent. Our aim is for anyone, regardless of age, who has thoughts of taking their own life, or is affected by suicide, to get the help they need.
“Together with COSLA and our partners, Suicide Prevention Scotland, we are driving forward our 10-year Suicide Prevention Strategy to deliver on our ambition to reduce suicide deaths in Scotland.
“At its heart is tackling the underlying factors and inequalities which cause suicide and supporting people most at risk including those living in poverty, middle aged men and those in rural areas.
“We increased our investment in suicide prevention to £2.8 million for the current financial year, meeting our commitment to double the suicide prevention budget in the current parliamentary term.
“We are committed to building a Scotland where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected. We will continue to listen, learn, and act – guided by evidence and compassion.”
Councillor Paul Kelly, COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, said: “Behind these statistics are individuals, families and communities deeply impacted by suicide.
“Local Government and our partners have a vital role in improving mental health and wellbeing across Scotland. We’re committed to enhancing our ongoing suicide prevention efforts to create conditions where no one feels they must take their own life.
“COSLA will continue working with the Scottish Government to deliver our joint ‘Creating Hope Together’ strategy. This includes tackling inequality across all public services – from schools and workplaces to community services.”
Wendy Given, Chief Operational Officer at The Neuk, said: “At The Neuk, we see the ripple effects of suicide every day and we are here to provide a safe, compassionate space where people in crisis are listened to, supported, and shown compassion.
“Services like ours must remain visible, valued, and sustainable, so that hope and connection are always within reach.”
The Neuk’s lead wellbeing mentor Louise McQueen said: “Working at The Neuk is more than a job, it’s being part of a community where every conversation can change a life.
“I’ve seen people walk through our doors at their lowest point and leave with hope. Being able to listen, connect, and support someone in that moment of crisis is a privilege, and it reminds me every day why this place matters.”
Anyone affected by these issues can access support from the following services:
Community Alert: Vehicle Break-Ins in Clermiston & Corstorphine
Police are urging residents in the Clerwood Gardens and Caroline Terrace areas to check their vehicles for any missing belongings. Several vehicle break-ins were reported in the early hours of Monday, 15th September 2025.
If you discover your vehicle has been broken into or find missing items, please:
– Contact 101 and quote incident number 0239 of 15/09/2025
– Provide details of missing items to help match property with owners
To reduce the risk of vehicle crime, always:
– Lock your vehicle doors
– Remove valuables or keep them out of sight
– Park in well-lit or secure areas where possible
Let’s stay vigilant and work together to keep our community safe!
Scottish Government investment sees record number of pupils now in good or satisfactory schools
More children and young people in Scotland than ever before are being educated in schools in good or satisfactory condition, following sustained investment from the Scottish Government in partnership with local authorities.
The latest statistics show the proportion of pupils learning in schools in good or satisfactory condition has increased to 92.5%, up from 92% since 2024.
Since 2019, 14 new schools have opened to pupils as part of the Scottish Government’s £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP). In 2024-25 alone, 17 school builds or substantial refurbishment projects were completed – 15 primary schools and two secondary schools.
Commenting, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “All pupils deserve to learn in modern schools that give them the best possible opportunity to maximise their learning.
“These statistics show our ongoing and significant investment in the school estate continues to deliver. The proportion of schools reported as being in “good” or “satisfactory” condition has increased to 92.0% (91.7% in 2024), compared to 62.7% in 2007, when this Government first came to office.
“Through the £2bn LEIP investment, a further three school projects are expected to be completed this year, and we will continue working with COSLA, councils and the Scottish Futures Trust to maximise future improvements in the school estate.”
Currie Community High School, which is one of Scotland’s first Passivhaus secondary schools, is receiving LEIP funding and opened last month.
Headteacher Jenny Hutchison said: ““We have had the most incredible month in our new school. Our new building offers significant benefits for students, staff and community users by providing a modern, flexible, and sustainable learning environment that moves beyond traditional classroom settings.
“The open plan learning plazas and break out spaces support a wider range of teaching and learning approaches and in using them is enhancing the wellbeing of everyone. Young people are helping us make decisions about how best to use these spaces which is fantastic.
“As one of Scotland’s first Passivhaus secondary schools, the design incorporates natural daylight, creating an inspiring and healthy atmosphere. We love the level of visibility in the building where learning can be observed from many angles.
“Our campus is also designed to be a vibrant community hub. The integration of community facilities really continue strengthen our connection with the local area, offering valuable resources to residents whilst also enriching the school environment.
“Our students in particular are enjoying the state-of-the-art sports facilities, outdoor teaching terrace and the debating chamber. This really is the school of dreams with endless possibilities!”
COSLA’s Children and Young People Spokesperson Cllr Tony Buchanan said: “Local Government is investing £1bn through the Learning Estate Improvement Programme (LEIP) alone, this is in addition to the ongoing further investment throughout the estate.
“We are pleased to see that the school estate continues to improve and also contribute to the transition towards net zero. The environment in which children and young people learn is an important contributor to their attainment and school experience, and can be a vital community asset.”
Stephen Long, Senior Associate Director for Learning Estate at the Scottish Futures Trust said: “Scottish Futures Trust and Scottish Government are working in collaboration with Local Authorities through the LEIP initiative to improve learning environments on 47 projects across Scotland.
“Following the successful opening of 5 projects for the new term in August, there are now 14 LEIP schools in operation with a further 16 in construction and 17 in design.
“These new and refurbished facilities will provide inclusive, healthy, comfortable indoor and outdoor places for learners, teachers and communities, while also minimising energy consumption and emissions.”
‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ rail security campaign given its first major refresh since it was launched almost a decade ago.
Bold new design makes the British Transport Police’s 61016 number more prominent, helping the public easily identify and report suspicious activity.
£17 million investment to better connect CCTV at train stations, enabling greater real-time access for police to accelerate investigations and help passengers feel safer.
Train passengers across Great Britain will start to see new ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ posters and hear updated announcements from today (16 September 2025), marking the campaign’s first major refresh in a decade.
Since the campaign’s launch in 2016, reports to BTP’s 61016 text service have increased more than eightfold to 255,088 a year – helping to improve the safety of travellers across the rail network.
To make reporting even easier, posters have had a makeover to clearly display the 61016 text number, and the renowned ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ train and station announcements have had an upgrade to make their wording clearer.
The new campaign is designed to help passengers more easily spot when something doesn’t look right, by explicitly showing and telling them what this could be, like an unattended bag, or someone accessing an area they shouldn’t.
The Government is also providing a nearly £17 million funding boost so Network Rail can make improvements to enhance police access to CCTV from railway stations. This will enable BTP officers to have more access to real-time footage from across the railway and help to identify offenders as quickly as possible, supporting the Government’s Plan for Change by making our streets safer.
The Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, is meeting British Transport Police (BTP) Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi at London Victoria to unveil the renewed campaign and hear about how it helps passengers report to the BTP.
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said: “‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ isn’t just an earworm that’s been the soundtrack to our trains for nearly a decade now – it’s a really important security and public safety campaign.
“It plays a crucial role in making our railways safe, and this refresh will help spread its message to even more people.
“We’re committed to making our railway as secure as possible, which is why we’re also improving CCTV connectivity, to help police identify offenders and bring them to justice faster – particularly key as we work towards our goal of halving violence against women and girls in the next decade.”
BTP Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “Our officers are out across the railway network 24/7 working to keep the public safe – but ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ reminds us that passengers and rail staff also have a vital role to play in being our eyes and ears.
“Our pioneering 61016 text service is a simple and discreet way to report crime across the rail network, and thanks to the ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ campaign, you can save 61016 in your phone today and contact BTP immediately if something doesn’t feel right on your journey.
“Over 1 million 61016 texts have been sent since its introduction in 2013 – so I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the public for continuing to help us create a network of vigilance. Trust your instincts and text us on 61016.”
Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:“‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ has become part of the national consciousness – whether you’re commuting into work or waiting for a coffee at the station, we’re all familiar with the message.
“As we relaunch the campaign, I encourage everyone to look out for one another, trust your instincts and if something doesn’t feel right, text British Transport Police on 61016.”
The campaign has also evolved to encourage passengers to report any non-urgent crimes to the BTP, including anything that makes passengers feel unsafe or uncomfortable, helping police keep our railway safe.
For example, in May, a man was jailed after he sexually assaulted three women on trains in London. All three of his victims reported the assaults to the BTP, including by texting 61016, which meant BTP officers could obtain CCTV, identify the perpetrator, and bring him to justice.
The new design marks a new era for the internationally renowned ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ campaign, which launched in 2016 with a focus on counterterrorism. Although it serves a very serious purpose, ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ has also become a cultural phenomenon, entering everyday vocabulary, inspiring punny spinoffs, and even a play of the same name.
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director and crime lead for the southern region, said: “This refreshed campaign will ultimately keep our railway running reliably by encouraging passengers to be our eyes and ears.
“When people speak up, it really helps us respond faster and more effectively to keep everything on time.
“It’s all part of a wider range of measures we’re taking to keep people safe and of our shared commitment to getting everyone home safe everyday.”
Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, said:”For a decade, the ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ campaign has been instrumental in encouraging public vigilance and providing a simple way for our customers to take action to keep our railways network safe.
“British Transport Police’s 61016 text service provides an easy and accessible way for passengers to report crime, any unusual behaviour, or anything that makes them feel unsafe. 61016 remains central to our shared commitment that every journey in London is safe and feels safe.
“We’re proud to be working alongside the BTP, the Department for Transport, and other partners as we launch the next phase of this important campaign across our network.”
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said: “The safety and wellbeing of both our rail customers and frontline workers is a top priority across industry.
“That’s why we want everyone to feel confident in knowing that they can use 61016 to report anything that’s inappropriate, doesn’t look right or makes them feel unsafe while they’re on a train or in a station.
“If you report it, rail staff and transport police can sort it.”
THIS October, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, Dynamic Earth invites visitors of all ages to step into the shadows and uncover the science behind the spookiest stories ever told.
From myth-busting monster hunts to late-night planetarium thrills, Dynamic Earth promises a Halloween season filled with discovery, imagination, and just the right amount of fright!
At the heart of the celebrations is the brand-new Monsters and Myths Trail – a Halloween adventure curated and illustrated by Dynamic Earth’s own talented team. Visitors are invited to journey through immersive galleries and track down legendary creatures, both real and imagined. From Halloween favourites such as zombies, vampires and Frankenstein’s Monster to icons of Scottish folklore including selkies and the Loch Ness Monster, this self-guided trail reveals the fascinating science behind the stories.
On the trail, interim CEO Anastasia Rocke said ‘October is one of our favourite times of year at Dynamic Earth. Our new Monsters and Myths Trail brings together creativity, science and storytelling in a way that captures the wonder of Halloween while staying true to our mission – helping people of all ages understand the incredible world around them. We’re especially proud of our incredible staff whose passion and talent made this programme possible. Whether you’re coming with kids, friends, or flying solo, there’s something here to make your October unforgettable.’
Dynamic Earth’s Learning and Engagement team is delivering brand-new spooky science sessions to celebrate the season. For families with younger children, under 6, the Dynamos and Dynamites sessions will combine gentle Halloween-themed fun with hands-on discovery, helping children explore some of the world’s spookiest creatures.
Dynamic Earth’s October programme runs throughout the month, with highlights including:
Monsters and Myths Trail
Daily from 3rd October – 2nd November | £4.50 add-on to Science Centre & Planetarium
Embark on a thrilling journey through Dynamic Earth’s immersive galleries and uncover the real-life science behind legendary creatures. Upon purchase, visitors receive a Trail Passport to guide their adventure, collecting stamps and tackling interactive science challenges along the way.
Budding explorers will uncover both myths and monsters whilst discovering the real creatures that shaped the stories we know and love today. Uncover different legends: from the shadowy waters of Loch Ness and its famous monster to Halloween favourites like vampires and zombies. Complete the trail and claim a fossil detective set to take home – perfect for budding explorers.
A special spooky edition of Dynamic Earth’s sensory sessions for under-4s. With storytelling, crafting, and play, explore some of the real creatures that helped inspire some of our favourite fantasy beasts! Which real animals are poisonous, have terrible teeth, and fearsome claws? In a session that mixes storytelling, crafting and sensory play, you can sort fact from fiction. Includes free entry to Ocean Commotion Soft Play (on the day of your science session for under 6s).
A special spooky edition of Dynamic Earth’s sensory sessions for 4 – 6 year olds. With storytelling, crafting, and play, explore some of the real creatures that helped inspire some of our favourite fantasy beasts! Which real animals are poisonous, have terrible teeth, and fearsome claws? In a session that mixes storytelling, crafting and sensory play, you can sort fact from fiction. Includes free entry to Ocean Commotion Soft Play (on the day of your science session for under 6s).
Dino’s: Monstrous Myths
Saturday 1st November, sessions throughout the day | Book here
Dynamic Earth’s Dino’s Saturday Science Club invites 6–12 year olds to get hands-on with spooky science this Halloween. Through fun activities and a take-home craft, children will explore the real creatures that inspired famous myths and monsters
This October, children aged 7–12 can join Dynamic Earth’s Holiday Club for four days of discovery and adventure. Each day brings new scientific challenges – from outdoor investigations in Holyrood Park and wildlife spotting, to creative crafts, games, and experiments. And, with flexible booking, families can choose the days that best suit their holiday plans. Led by Dynamic Earth’s Learning & Engagement team, the club offers the perfect mix of fun and hands-on science, inspiring the next generation of planet protectors.
Step into the role of a space detective in What’s Up – Dark Matter Detectives, the latest presenter-led Planetarium show from Dynamic Earth’s in-house astronomers. The Universe is full of mysteries, from dark energy to the elusive dark matter that shapes the cosmos. Join Dynamic Earth’s team of astral agents to discover the hidden clues the Universe leaves behind and explore one of science’s biggest unanswered questions: what is dark matter?
Planetarium Lates
16th – 18th October | 18+ | Various concession prices available | £20 per ticket | Book here
Adults can enjoy an atmospheric evening under the stars with cult classics like Rocky Horror Picture Show and Aliens, or lose themselves in The Dark Side of the Moon dome shows. Cocktails and a spine-tingling atmosphere guarantee a Halloween night to remember.
Family Film Screenings
13th – 19th October daily | £6 per ticket | Book here
Every Saturday and Sunday between 4th October and 2nd November | £6 per ticket
Family favourites including Monsters Inc., Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Brave, and Scooby Doo: Frankencreep light up the dome every morning from 10:00 am.
October Membership Offer:
This October, there’s more than just Halloween fun in store at Dynamic Earth! Visitors can upgrade their Annual Pass from £25 and receive a 12-month membership at Dynamic Earth.
A Dynamic Earth Annual Membership Includes:
Exclusive invites to Members Only events
Free tickets to selected seasonal events
Welcome £5 voucher for the Cafe or Gift Shop
10% discount in the Cafe and Gift Shop every time you visit
20% discount on parking at Dynamic Earth every time you visit
£2 per child entry to Ocean Commotion Soft Play
Priority access to skip queues
Regular updates via Dynamic Earth’s Members e-newsletter
Priority notification on special events
T&C apply.
Visit Dynamic Earth and Transform Your Halloween! Celebrate Halloween at Dynamic Earth with a mix of science, storytelling, and spooky fun. From uncovering legends on the Monsters & Myths Trail to family-friendly Planetarium shows and late-night screenings for adults, October at Dynamic Earth offers unforgettable adventures for all ages.
TEN YEARS OF UNITING COMMUNITES AND CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
Join us in celebrating a decade of light, culture, and community as Edinburgh Diwali marks its 10th Anniversary on Sunday 2nd November 2025.
This year’s landmark event promises a spectacular celebration featuring a vibrant parade through Edinburgh’s New Town, music, dance and cultural performances, the return of public fireworks displays to Princes Street Gardens at the Ross Bandstand, and much more.
Since 2015, Edinburgh Diwali has showcased the spirit of the Indian festival of lights and Scotland’s rich multicultural tapestry by bringing together communities to celebrate diversity. Started as an initiative by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and Indian diaspora from the city, Edinburgh Diwali has gone on to become one of the UK’s most prominent public Diwali celebrations, attracting around 10,000 spectators to the parade and performances in Edinburgh’s city centre.
Last year’s celebrations lit up the city with incredible energy, featuring unforgettable performances covering classical to contemporary from across cultures from more than 200 performers, notably Scottish Regiment Band, the electrifying Edinburgh Bhangra Crew, dynamic dance troupes Bollyfeatand Dance Ihayami, and a headline performance from the sensational Kaykay & Co., the London based British Asian fusion band. This year’s 10th anniversary celebration promises to be even bigger, with details of the full programme to be revealed nearer the date.
This special milestone edition of Edinburgh Diwali will take place 13:00 – 19:00 on Sunday 2nd November 2025. The event is free to attend and open to all, encouraging people from across Edinburgh and the surrounding area to participate in this family-friendly festival of light.
For further information about Edinburgh Diwali, visit:
The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2025 programme is now live!
Discover the full programme and book tickets at www.mhfestival.com/events
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kent Hung about his writing, the themes behind the trilogy, and what it means to truly heal.
