Category: North Edinburgh News

Blind comedian highlights accessibility barriers at Fringe

Performing at the world’s largest arts festival is no small feat. But for blind comedian Jamie MacDonald, just getting to his venue each day reveals a challenge that blind and partially sighted people face every day: getting to work.

Jamie, who is blind due to a degenerative eye condition, is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe with a brand-new show. Navigating busy streets, temporary venues, and the unpredictable festival layout can be difficult without the support that many sighted performers might never need to consider. 

“Getting about Edinburgh is already a total nightmare for blind people and folk with mobility issues,” Jamie says. “Medieval folk seem to have been four-feet tall with a love for steep, stone stairs.

“When you add in the road closures, crowds and performers that the biggest art festival in the world brings, moving about becomes lethal!”   

With no official assistance service available, Jamie reached out to RNIB, the national charity supporting people with sight loss. Two of the charity’s volunteers, Bill and Iain, stepped forward to support Jamie with getting to and from his venue throughout his run. Although providing one-to-one travel support isn’t within the charity’s usual role, RNIB Scotland was happy to help connect Jamie with volunteers ready to help, coordinated by Community Social Action Manager Jane Coates.  

Although Jamie is known for tackling blindness with humour, he’s serious about challenging the way society views disability. As he puts it, being blind seems to automatically make him a “role model,” whether he wants to be or not. He’s using comedy to question why disabled people are expected to be heroes rather than simply being complex, contradictory, or even a bit difficult – just like anyone else.  

That same questioning extends beyond attitudes to the practical barriers disabled performers face. 

“There must be a tonne of disabled performers who face the same or similar struggles to me,” Jamie says. “It would be sad, but not surprising if it put some people off coming to perform. I’m not pointing the finger at anyone here, I just think there could be more of a focus put on accessibility.” 

The Fringe has introduced several accessibility initiatives in recent years such as audio-described and BSL-interpreted performances. However, support and accessibility can vary depending on the venue. The historic layout of Edinburgh, coupled with the festival’s pop-up nature, adds to the challenge. 

Jane Coates, Community Social Action Manager for RNIB Scotland, says Jamie’s situation reflects a wider issue: “Accessibility shouldn’t come down to individual goodwill,” she says. “We need systemic solutions that make it easier for blind and partially sighted people to access cultural life, as audience members, and as creators and performers too.” 

For Jamie, the support from volunteers hasn’t solved the wider challenges, but it’s made all the difference in making the Fringe possible this year. 

“Bill and Iain are legends,” he says. “I’m lucky. I’ve got my volunteers in shining armour, Iain and Bill, guiding me through the mayhem.

“Legends without whose help and support would probably see me seriously injured or worse, late for a show. So a heart-felt thanks to them.” 

** Jamie MacDonald is performing ‘Toxic Bastard’ at Venue 24: Dram at Gilded Balloon Patter House from 15 – 24 August.

Tickets available at:

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jamie-macdonald-toxic-bastard

Edinburgh football club receives £3,000 boost from local home builder

Persimmon’s donation supports Hutchison Vale’s youth trip to Newcastle and new team kits

Persimmon Homes East Scotland has donated £3,000 to Hutchison Vale Football Club, helping to support one of Edinburgh’s most iconic grassroots football organisations.

The donation, made through Persimmon’s Community Champions initiative, helped fund a recent trip to Newcastle, where the club’s youth teams competed in a football competition, gaining valuable experience and making memories that will last a lifetime. As part of the support, the Persimmon logo will also feature on the 2015 squad’s kit, worn proudly in the club’s traditional yellow and black colours.

Hutchison Vale FC, based at Ford’s Road in Saughton, was originally founded in 1940 to provide footballing opportunities for boys in the Hutchison area and surrounding communities. Now, the club supports 400–500 boys and girls across 20 teams, with players ranging from under 10s to under 20s, along with a thriving Junior Academy for children aged five to eight.

The club has produced more than 30 Scottish international players and countless others who have gone on to play professionally, including Paul Hanlon, Leigh Griffiths, Allan McGregor, Kenny Miller, and John Collins. Other former players include Gregor Townsend, Scotland’s national rugby coach, and rising boxing star Lee McGregor.

Neil Parry, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes East Scotland, said:
“Hutchison Vale has a proud tradition of developing young talent while instilling the values of discipline, teamwork and respect.

“We’re delighted to support their trip to Newcastle and help ensure the next generation continues to benefit from all that the club has to offer.”

Tam Smith, Club Leader, said: “We are very grateful for this generous donation. It will make a huge difference in ensuring our boys have a fantastic experience at their tournament in Newcastle.

“With funding becoming tighter each year, this support is invaluable to our voluntary organisation.”

Persimmon Homes East Scotland donates up to £6,000 every quarter to local organisations and charities through its Community Champions programme, supporting groups that make a real difference in their communities.

To find out more or apply for a Community Champions grant, visit: 

www.persimmonhomes.com/community-champions

Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth charged over indecent images

Labour MSP Colin Smyth has been arrested and charged over possession of indecent images of children.

The 52-year-old, who has represented South Scotland at Holyrood since 2016, was arrested at a property in Dumfries earlier this month.

Smyth has been suspended by Scottish Labour and is now listed as an independent on the parliament website.

He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.

Earlier this week former Fife Labour councillor David Graham was jailed for sexual offences against a teenage girl.

‘Working Scots to benefit’ as UK Government drives Japan investment

Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill in Tokyo to champion Scottish produce

Boosting trade and investment between Scotland and Japan are top of the agenda as UK Government Minister Kirsty McNeill embarks on a three day visit to Osaka and Tokyo.

The Scotland Office Minister will meet with business leaders and politicians to promote Brand Scotland’s iconic goods and services and encourage Japanese inward investment as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change to boost the economy and put more money in the pockets of working Scots.

While at the Osaka Expo 2025, Minister McNeill will join the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West in meeting leading Japanese life sciences firms for a discussion around opportunities in the UK market following publication of the Life Sciences Sector Plan. 

Scotland is one of the largest health and life science clusters in Europe, employing more than 41,000 people across 770 organisations and generating more than £10 billion annually for the Scottish economy.

More broadly the Expo – Japan’s biggest international event of the decade, with more than 150 countries taking part and 28 million visitors expected over its six-month span (running from mid-April to mid-October) – provides an opportunity for the UK to strengthen relationships with like-minded partners across fields from defence and security to sustainability and energy transition.

Minister Kirsty McNeill said: “Brand Scotland is about selling the best of Scotland to the world and encouraging inward investment to create jobs and opportunities for Scots.

“Scottish companies already export £484 million of goods and £475 million of services annually to Japan and there is scope for so much more. The UK-Japan partnership is closer than it has been for decades, with intensified cooperation across the entire breadth of UK economic growth and security interests, including defence, digital, cyber, science and innovation and trade and investment.

“Trade missions such as this help foster even greater collaboration and I look forward to promoting the very best of Scotland in Japan and embedding Scottish produce, such as seafood, in Japanese gastronomy.

“The UK Government is doing everything it can to help Scottish businesses make the most of opportunities overseas as part of our Plan for Change to grow our economy and put more money in people’s pockets.”

Minister Catherine West said: “The UK-Japan relationship is the closest it has been in decades, from trade to security and defence. As the Emperor said, we are friends like no other.

“And there is no better advert for the UK than taking part in Expo 2025. It’s a chance to show our strengths in areas like science and tech and invite Japan and the world to ‘Come Build the Future’.”

At the Expo, both Ministers will also meet with Lord Mendoza, a member of the UK Soft Power Council’s Europe Committee, to discuss how Scotland’s soft power strengths can be fully utilised.

Then in Tokyo, Minister McNeill will attend the Japan International Seafood & Technology Expo where she will meet with Seafood Scotland which is taking a delegation of businesses to the show for a tenth year.

Japan is among the UK’s top export locations for products like mackerel and is a growing market for a range of other British products. Scottish mackerel now accounts for around 20% of all imported mackerel into Japan, up from just 2% in 2019. 

The Expo is an important opportunity to help the Scottish seafood sector as it begins to re-establish Scottish salmon in the Japanese market, after many recent years of Norwegian dominance.  

Donna Fordyce, CEO, Seafood Scotland said: “We are delighted to have the support of the Scotland Office, the Minister, and Brand Scotland in showcasing the very best of our seafood on the world stage.

“Japan is an important market for Scotland’s premium catch, and this mission provides a valuable platform for our producers to connect with influential buyers, chefs, and media. Together, we are championing the quality, provenance, and sustainability that make Scottish seafood stand out.”

Adam Wing, Head of Trade Marketing (UK, Middle East & Asia), Seafood Scotland said: “Over the past decade, we have worked hard to establish and grow Scottish seafood exports to Japan, building strong relationships with buyers, chefs, and industry partners.

“This year marks our 10th visit to the Japan International Seafood & Technology Expo, and we’re proud to celebrate this milestone with the Minister alongside our delegation of seven exceptional Scottish seafood companies.

“We look forward to strengthening these ties and unlocking new opportunities for our world-class mackerel, salmon, and premium shellfish.”

While in Tokyo Minister McNeill will also meet with Sumitomo Electric to discuss progress in the construction of its £350 million subsea cable factory at the port of Nigg in the Scottish Highlands.

The factory – due to be completed in mid-2026 – will contribute significantly towards the UK’s capability to deliver renewable energy to UK consumers. The project is creating around.150 jobs. 

And she will meet Eurus Energy to hear about its offshore wind project currently under development in Scotland. The Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm will be located 7.5km off the coast of Dounreay in Caithness. The project’s operational lifespan will be up to 25 years, and it will generate enough green electricity to power up to 70,000 homes.

The Minister will also visit Venture Café, Tokyo, where she will announce the opening of a Venture Cafe in Edinburgh in November.

Venture Cafés are hubs which provide a space for entrepreneurs all over the world to come together and innovate.

Mike Jackson, Head of Venture Café UK, said: We are delighted to welcome Minister McNeill to Venture Café in Tokyo and we are grateful for the support of the Scotland Office as we prepare to open our new cafe in Edinburgh, as part of our Activation Partnership with the Advanced Research + Invention Agency’s (ARIA).

“In a world dominated by digital connections, the real magic still happens when people meet in person, especially when they do so regularly. 

“That’s what Venture Café is all about. Edinburgh has always been a hub of innovation and is now powering ahead in areas such as AI by being the future home of the new national supercomputer. We’re here to help innovators of all kinds to come together, collaborate and turn the best ideas into reality.”

And Minister McNeill will provide some remarks at a UK music trade mission reception at the British Residence in Tokyo to promote creative industries in the UK.

The Minister will also meet the current His Majesty’s Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom, and New Zealand’s ambassador to Japan, Hamish Cooper, who is being posted as High Commissioner to the UK as his next appointment.  

Radioactive Leaks: End the Secrecy

Chair of Scottish CND has written to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) about radiological contamination incidents from Coulport.

Scottish CND asked for assurances that SEPA will not keep future similar incidents secret and have requested a meeting with SEPA officials.

£6 million for Scotland’s environment

Additional funding package announced for nature projects

More than £6 million of additional funding is being invested in nature enhancing projects through the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF).

Established in 2021, the £65 million NRF has funded nearly 800 projects helping Scotland’s species, woodlands, rivers and seas back on the road to recovery, including planting over 300,000 trees and restoring over 1,800 hectares of urban greenspace in towns and cities.

Evaluation of the NRF shows the scheme unlocked at least £7.1 million in match funding and in-kind contributions for organisations, and described the initiative as ‘instrumental’ in accelerating nature restoration and supporting vulnerable species and habitats.

Recipients include the Cairngorms National Park, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, NatureScot and the Green Action Trust.

The Cairngorms National Park will share £1.2 million between five projects aimed at safeguarding some of the most precious species and habitats there including;

  • recovering freshwater pearl mussel populations in the rivers Spey, Dee and South Esk
  • identifying changes to make the River Dee more resilient to flooding
  • helping boost the capercaillie population, which is on the verge of extinction in Scotland
  • improving tree stock for aspen and native montane species

Visiting the Anagach Woods in the Cairngorms National Park, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action Gillian Martin said: “Protecting Scotland’s natural environment is vital to addressing nature loss, climate change and biodiversity.

“The projects receiving this additional funding will of course benefit local areas and wildlife by restoring the environment and supporting green jobs and skills development but they will also help us in the global fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.

“I was extremely impressed by the pioneering work that the Cairngorms National Park are doing to restore ecosystems with their innovative wood ant translocation project, which maintains forest health.

This years’ Programme for Government committed to extending the NRF in 2026-27 to enable funding of a further round of multi-year projects.

NatureScot Chair, Professor Colin Galbraith said: “This further investment is recognition of the fantastic work that is being undertaken through the Nature Restoration Fund.

“We are excited to have a further £3.5 million available to invest in projects across the country that are restoring rivers, woodlands and wildlife back to a healthy and thriving state, whilst tackling the effects of climate change.

“By working with people throughout Scotland this vital work is helping to achieve our ambition to be nature positive by 2030 and to have significantly restored and regenerated our nature by 2045.”

Sandy Bremner, Convener of the Cairngorms National Park Board said: “With 25 per cent of the UK’s most threatened species living in the National Park, it is one of the most significant places for nature conservation.

“Protecting and enhancing these special habitats and species – alongside tackling climate change – are at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan, and this extra funding will help ensure our conservation work is targeted where it is needed most, boosting our efforts and helping to deliver key actions on the ground.”

NatureScot will receive £3.5 million for distribution to nature projects.

The Green Action Trust will receive £510,000 for onward distribution to a range of nature projects.

Cairngorms National Park will receive £1.2 million.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs will receive £1.025 million.

RFB Containers announces charity partnership with The Yard Scotland

Hamilton-based shipping container supplier, RFB Containers, has announced its charity partnership with The Yard Scotland.

The Yard Scotland provides adventure play services for disabled children, young people, and their families – creating safe, inclusive spaces where they can have fun, make friends, and feel supported.

As part of the partnership, RFB Containers supplies containers free of charge to The Yard’s multiple locations across Scotland, providing the charity with storage facilities for their outdoor toys and equipment. RFB Containers was involved in the opening of The Yard’s latest site opening in Glasgow, ensuring the charity could store their equipment securely during the site refurbishment. 

The partnership also extends beyond equipment storage. RFB Containers is working with the facilities team at The Yard on supplying accommodation units to ensure their staff have appropriate working spaces that are fit for purpose. 

Angus Barraclough, Managing Director at RFB Containers said: “We’re really proud of our partnership with The Yard and we recognise the importance of this partnership and the impact it has within the business and wider community.

“It’s more than just donations – it’s about supporting a truly meaningful cause that makes a real difference in the lives of families across Scotland.”

Jenny MacDonald, Deputy CEO, The Yard Scotland, said: ““We are extremely grateful to Angus and everyone at RFB Containers for their generous support of The Yard. Their help with providing secure storage and suitable facilities for our team is invaluable.

This partnership makes a real difference to our families by supporting the vital services we provide to disabled children, young people, and their families across Scotland.”

Dobbies spellbinding line-up of Autumnal events at Edinburgh

Activities for kids, families … and dogs!

This October and November, Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to its enchanting autumn events at the Edinburgh store, helping kick-start the season.

There’s something for everyone, with events for dogs, kids and families:

Pup-kin Patch

The Pup-kin Patch at Dobbies will be a fun outing for dogs where they can dig into treats, toys, and tail wagging fun. With activities from picking their own autumn themed toys, to enjoying a puppuccino from the restaurant, furry friends are bound to have a paw-esome outing. The event will also have a free digital photo opportunity for dogs to pose in front of an autumnal backdrop at the Edinburgh store, for a beautiful pet ‘paw-trait’.

Tickets to the event will also include special offers in the pet department, one free hot drink and puppuccino with the purchase of any cake from the restaurant, and £5 off £25 spend in store. Dobbies’ Pup-kin Patch will be taking place on Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Friday 31 October, and Saturday 1 November, tickets are £12.50 per dog. Dates vary for each store so please check the website when booking. 

Little Scare-lings – Witches, Wizards and Wicked Treats 

This Halloween, children and families can get ready to take part in some scarily fun activities and afternoon tea at the Edinburgh store Little Scare-lings event. There will be three tiers of savoury sandwiches and sweet treats for the children and spook-tacular tea and cake offers or afternoon tea add ons for adults.

Little ones will get to take part in slime and magic potion making to embrace their inner witches and wizards, alongside other magical activities and games. Dobbies is encouraging attendees to dress up in their spookiest costume as a prize will be awarded during a costume contest. 

The Little Scare-lings – Witches, Wizards and Wicked Treats is taking place on Saturday 18, Sunday 19, Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Friday 31 October, and Saturday 1 November, tickets are £15 per children and from £7.50 for adults. Dates vary for each store so please check the website when booking.

Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is looking forward to welcoming customers, from families, dogs and planting enthusiasts, to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this autumn. She said: “It’s fantastic to have such a variety of events on offer and there really is something for everyone to enjoy, with fun for all ages. 

“Our Little Scare-lings event is a firm favourite for families, with plenty of action-packed activities, and the Pup-kin Patch is back by popular demand, this year in more stores after it was such a hit last year. We can’t wait to celebrate autumn and Halloween with our customers this spooky season.”

Tickets to all autumn events at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store are now available to book at www.dobbies.com/events.

For more information on Dobbies’ events, visit www.dobbies.com/events