Schools and early years settings across Edinburgh have welcomed back children and young people, parents and carers, teachers and school staff after the summer holidays.
Over 53,000 secondary and primary school learners will head back to the classroom this week, along with dedicated teaching and school staff. This includes 25,057 secondary school pupils in S1 to S6 and 28,307 primary school learners in P1 to P7.
Around 3,500 new Primary 1 pupils are starting their school journey including 55 sets of twins.
Over 4,400 young people will start secondary school and transition into S1 at one of our secondary schools.
The brand-new Currie Community High School building will welcome 920 learners through its doors for the very first time.
As a brand-new school year gets underway, Education, Children and Families Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish, said: “Thereâs always a buzz in the air this time of year as a new school year and new term begins.
“For some of our children and young people, the new school year will mark the start of an exciting milestone as they start in P1, S1 or in one of our early years settings. I am confident that our fantastic teaching and school staff will do all they can to support children and their families to settle in as quickly as possible.
“I hope that families, children and school staff alike return well rested after a relaxing and enjoyable summer break. I wish everyone a brilliant start to the new school year and a successful year ahead!”
51,400 older people endured dangerous 12 hour waits in Scotlandâs A&Es last year
Extreme long waits in Emergency Departments across Scotland are a political responsibility that can no longer be ignored as more than 51,400 older patients endured stays of 12 hours or more last year â the worst on record. Â
New analysis from the Royal College of Emergency (RCEM) reveals in major EDs, one in every eight patients (51,423) aged 60 or over waited more than 12 hours to be transferred, admitted or discharged in 2024.
Thatâs 14,407 more patients than the year before (2023).
And is over 16 times more people than in 2019 when just 3,135 older people endured waits of this length.
The figures, obtained by RCEM via Freedom of Information requests to Public Health Scotland, also reveal that, concerningly, the older a patient is the longer they are likely to wait in A&E.Â
People aged 70-79 have a 12% chance of waiting 12 hours or more â almost 16 times higher than it was in 2019.
Meanwhile, people aged 80-89 have a 16% chance of enduring extreme waits, and the likelihood rises to 19% for those aged 90 and above.
Compare that to patients aged 18-29, whose average likelihood of experiencing a 12-hour wait last year was just 2.2%.
Older patients often arrive to the Emergency Department with more complicated or multiple health issues.
This, when combined with the inability to admit them onto a ward due to the lack of available in-patient beds, means older people can become stuck in Emergency Departments â enduring extreme long waits, often on trolleys in corridors.
And when patients do finally get admitted, they often find themselves stranded in hospital, unable to go home when they are well enough to leave, frequently due to a lack of available social care support.
Public Health Scotland recently revealed that in 2024/25, there was a record 720,119 days spent in hospital by patients whose discharge was delayed â 474,153 of which were experienced by people aged 75 or over. This accounted for two out of every three (66%) delayed discharge bed days.Â
Dr Fiona Hunter, Vice President of RCEM Scotland, said, âThis data is both shocking and shameful, and it is abundantly clear that older people are bearing the brunt of a system in crisis. Â
âHundreds of thousands of dearly loved people â great-grandparents, grandmas, grandads, parents â forced to experience extreme long stays in our Emergency Departments every year mainly because we donât have enough in-patient beds to admit them to when they need one.
âOften enduring these waits on trolleys in areas that arenât designed to deliver care in â corridors or even cupboards.
âItâs a failure of the system. Itâs unacceptable, itâs dangerous and itâs putting lives at risk.
âEnough is enough. The government canât ignore the ongoing crisis our Emergency Departments â the workforce and patients – continue to face day in, day out.
âWe all deserve an Urgent and Emergency Care system that works as it should and not letting people, our most vulnerable, down when they need it most.â
Dr Bob Caslake, Chair of the BGS Scotland Council, said, âThis report highlights the urgent attention that is needed across the health and social care system to allow older people to access the care they need at the time they need it.
“The current waiting times faced by older people in Emergency Departments are unacceptable, and reducing these delays is a matter of equity, dignity, and patient safety.”Â
Professor Andrew Elder, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh said, “It is disappointing that this information is not routinely collected, analysed and published and it is unacceptable to see so many older people waiting hours â sometimes days â in A&E wards for the care they need.
“These older people are often living with frailty, dementia, and multiple other health conditions. They deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion.
“Long waits for care are neither dignified nor compassionate and can also lead to serious harm. This is not the standard of care we should accept for our parents, grandparents, or neighbours.
“With the numbers of older people in Scotland in need of care expected to increase dramatically, we urgently need a system that prioritises timely treatment and supports frontline staff in delivering the respect and care our older population deserves.”Â
The figures come after the Royal College of Emergency Medicine published a report earlier this year looking at the care older people, aged 75 and over, receive in Emergency Departments across the UK.
Titled âCare of Older People 2023-24â, the research found there was insufficient screening for three common conditions which primarily affect this age group, including delirium and for general frailty.
Scot suffers life-changing disability after missing out on stroke treatment
John Watson, Associate Director for the Stroke Association in Scotland, said: âStroke is the third biggest killer in Scotland, and the leading cause of complex adult disability. But the latest official figures show the ongoing failure of health boards to make stroke the priority it needs to be.
âThe failure is most striking in thrombectomy, a life-saving, life-changing treatment that should be a normal part of any modern healthcare system. Thrombectomy also saves the health and care system ÂŁ47,000 per patient over five years2, potentially providing part of the solution to the current NHS and social care crisis.
âA Scotland-wide, round-the-clock thrombectomy service was promised years ago, yet less than a fifth of eligible patients get the intervention1 that could transform their lives. The thrombectomy rate elsewhere in the UK3 is more than double that in Scotland.
âToday we highlight the harrowing story of one man who was unable to get treatment because he had his stroke in the wrong place, at the wrong time of day (see Graham’s story below). Last year over 1,000 people were similarly let down by health board’s who offer thrombectomy in some places, at restricted times.
âWe work closely with stroke teams and recognise the tremendous efforts made by staff on the ground. But they canât sort this on their own. It is political decisions, from the Scottish Government and health board leadership, that determine the resources, equipment and staff available to them.
âSmall sums of money, such as investing in new operating suites to perform thrombectomies, would remove an existing bottleneck, save lives and quickly pay for themselves.
âBut more than anything this requires political leadership.
“Oversight of the thrombectomy programme has now been passed to the NHS Planning and Delivery Board – it needs to own this problem and make it the priority it should have been all along.â
Graham McGowan, 53, from Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, suffered left-sided paralysis when he was unable to have a thrombectomy, for a stroke he had in 2022, due to restricted availability of the procedure.
The former performance improvement consultant, trail runner and skier was rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on the evening of 20 May 2022 with a brain scan revealing a blood clot, which doctors advised should be treated with a thrombectomy.
Thrombectomy is a medical procedure that removes blood clots in a large artery, which can otherwise cause disabilities such as paralysis, blindness and communication problems.
However, Graham was told he couldnât be transferred for the procedure because he arrived at hospital outside âoffice hoursâ at around 9pm. Otherwise, he would have been air lifted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, which is one of Scotlandâs three specialist thrombectomy hubs.
Ninewells is only able to perform thrombectomies from 9am-7pm, Monday to Friday. The Stroke Association is calling for a 24/7 Scotland-wide thrombectomy service, which it says has been a Scottish Government commitment for years.
Instead, Graham had thrombolysis, a drug which is used to try to disperse clots and help restore the blood supply to the brain.
Three years later, Graham lives with life-limiting disability including total immobility on his left side, and is keen to raise awareness of the importance of 24/7 access to a national thrombectomy service to prevent future stroke patients in Scotland missing out on the procedure and all the positive outcomes it can bring.
He said: âI donât want to dwell too much on the âwhat ifsâ and the cost of me not getting a thrombectomy, as it doesnât help me mentally.
âBut if you take me as an example, I was working and had an active, healthy lifestyle before I had a stroke. Now, I canât live independently. I canât work. I canât drive, ski, run or mountain bike. My wife is now also my carer and there has been a dramatic change in our circumstances.â
Grahamâs stroke was caused by a carotid arterial dissection â a tear in the carotid artery, which leads to a blockage or formation of a blood clot. The clot had broken up and travelled to Grahamâs brain, causing the stroke. He stresses: âIâd been running the day before I had my stroke. I was fit and healthy â there were no signs that I could have a stroke, I had no risk factors.â
The immediate effect was paralysis down the left hand side of his body, leaving him unable to sit up, stand or walk, which Graham describes as, âdisturbingâ.
He continues: âIt was difficult to deal with, but even then I thought it was temporary. I thought I would be treated and Iâd be OK again.â
His rehabilitation and life since have proved otherwise. After four days of constant sleep and âunbelievable pain in my headâ, Grahamâs four months of hospital recovery and intensive physiotherapy began.
He returned home to his wife, Heather, and their two dogs in September 2022.
He says the support he received at Woodend Rehabilitation Hospital in Aberdeen was invaluable.
âThe physio team helped me take my first, single step and taught me to walk again. But there were significant challenges at home. Heather has always been so upbeat and supportive but I canât really do anything around the house anymore. It puts a lot of responsibility on her.â
Initially, Graham relied on a wheelchair, with Heather or a retired neighbour pushing him around the village or the woods to experience a little of the outdoors he loves so much. With perseverance and patient support he is now able to walk around the same places.
Graham now aims to walk 50km every month and is applying the same determination to volunteering with the Stroke Associationâs Deeside Stroke Group.
Graham found the group online and was delighted to find it had an exercise focus. He says: âHeather pushed me in my wheelchair along to my first group session that autumn and I walked the few steps into the hall where it was held.â
In March 2024, Graham was appointed chair of the group and has found a renewed sense of purpose in using the knowledge and skills he gained in his 26 years of work to help the group thrive and welcome new members.
Deeside Stroke Support Group currently has around twenty five members, meeting weekly in Aboyne and Banchory for exercise sessions and monthly for social get-togethers. For more information, contact engagementteamscotland@stroke.org.uk.
John Watson, Associate Director for the Stroke Association in Scotland, said: âGrahamâs story pulls the need for a 24/7 Scotland-wide thrombectomy service into sharp focus. Getting the best stroke care shouldnât depend on where or when your stroke happens.
âWe are enormously grateful to Graham for sharing his story to help us campaign for better stroke treatment and remain indebted for the wonderful job he is doing at the Deeside Stroke Group.â
Police are appealing for information after a man was seriously assaulted on Queensferry Street.
Around 11.40pm last night (Tuesday, 12 August, 2025), a 39-year-old man was seriously assaulted on Queensferry Street at the junction with Melville Street.
Emergency services attended and he was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
The suspects are described as white males. The first around 5ft 10in in height, of medium build with a bald head and dark clothing.
The second man is described as being around 5ft 10in in height, of medium build, with short dark hair and possibly wearing a red t-shirt.
It is understood they left in the direction of Randolph Place.
Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe said: âOur enquiries are ongoing and I am appealing for anyone with any information to contact us.
âWe understand the area was busy with people at the time and I would ask anyone who witnessed the incident and who havenât already spoken to police to get in touch.
âI would also appeal to anyone with dash cam or private CCTV footage to contact us.â
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 0003 of 13 August, 2025.
Rising temperatures are putting motorists at risk of dangerous tyre blowouts, with summer heat causing overinflated tyres and reduced traction.
With the UK experiencing above-average temperatures so far this summer, motor insurance experts from Quotezone.co.uk are urging drivers to check their tyre pressure.
One in five vehicle breakdowns on motorways and A roads result from tyre defects, with a recent campaign finding that 21% of drivers who have broken down on the motorway saying it could have been avoided if theyâd conducted proper tyre checks before starting their journey.
While motorists are well aware of the importance of checking tyre conditions during winter, itâs just as crucial to check tyres throughout the summer months – particularly during a heatwave.
For every 10 degrees Celsius rise in temperature, tyre pressure can go up by about 1â2 PSI (pounds per square inch) – meaning tyres already at the upper limit could become overinflated when hot.
Overinflated tyres lead to a number of serious safety concerns for motorists, including reduced grip and traction, less responsive handling, and a higher risk of tyre blowouts – which can be particularly dangerous at high speeds.
Before setting off on long journeys this summer, motorists are warned to carry out a few simple checks to stay safe on the road and avoid costly breakdowns.
Greg Wilson, car insurance expert and CEO at Quotezone.co.uk said: âMany drivers carry out safety checks on their tyres throughout winter but often overlook how extreme heat can be just as tough on them.
âWith the summer in full swing and many motorists travelling longer distances across the country on holiday road trips, itâs important to carry out essential safety checks before setting off.
âA quick pressure check could save drivers not only from a costly breakdown, but from a potentially dangerous tyre defect at high speed.
âItâs essential to know the correct pressure for the vehicle, check the spare tyre, and always be mindful not to overload the vehicle – particularly if heading off on holiday with a boot full of luggage.
âIt only takes a few minutes to check the tyre pressure, but it could make all the difference.â
Tyre pressure should be checked when the tyres are cold, ideally in the morning or after the car has been parked for several hours.
2.Know your correct pressure
Your vehicleâs manufacturer should have a recommended tyre pressure you should stick to – this can be found in the vehicleâs handbook or door sticker.
3.Inspect for damage
High heat can soften the tyreâs rubber and worsen cracks or worn tread. The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm in the UK, although tyre and safety experts recommend 3mm.***
4.Adjust the pressure if necessary
If tyres have become overinflated, let them cool before adjusting the pressure. Never deflate a hot tyre based only on a hot reading.
5.Donât neglect the spare tyre
Something that is often overlooked, but make sure to check the pressure of any spare tyres too, should you need to use them in an emergency and note they sometimes have a different recommended pressure to the existing tyres.
6.Avoid overloading your vehicle
Not only is it illegal, but overloading a vehicle puts a lot of stress on a carâs tyres. The extra heat and pressure can also increase the risk of a tyre blowout.
Quotezone helps millions of drivers every year find savings on all sorts of car insurance products such as older driver, truck and young driver insurance.
As Glenogle Swim Centre in Stockbridge prepares to mark its 125th anniversary, Edinburgh Leisure is inviting the local community to help shape a unique legacy – a time capsule to be planted in the centreâs lovingly restored garden during a celebration event on Friday, 5th September 2025.
One of Edinburgh Leisureâs five cherished Victorian pools, Glenogle – affectionately known as Glennies – has been a cornerstone of the community since it opened on 7 September 1900.
Now, as it celebrates over a century of service, the centre is calling on locals to suggest or donate items for inclusion in the time capsule, which will be buried in the private garden at the Saxe-Coburg entrance.
“The time capsule will be a gift to the future – capturing the spirit of today for generations to come.â
The garden where the capsule will be planted is itself a symbol of community care and creativity. Over the past decade, Glenogle customers Marjorie Mantle and Andrew Dixon have transformed the once-neglected plot into a vibrant green space. Nestled through the arch at the Saxe-Coburg entrance, the garden sits on the site of an unfinished Georgian terrace, with a stairway leading down to the pool level.
Marjorie met Andrew and his wife through a regular morning gym class and started to share a nearby allotment plot. The two of them approached the then-manager Wendy Avinou in 2015 with a proposal to revitalise the Glenogle space. Together they improved the soil and planted a variety of flowers and foliage.
âItâs been a labour of love,â said Marjorie. âSeeing the garden flourish and hearing kind words from customers makes it all worthwhile.â
Glenogleâs story is also one of resilience. In the late 2000s, the centre faced the threat of closure. A passionate community campaign – Save Glenogle – led by Marjorie and supported by nearly 10,000 signatures, helped secure a £5.7 million refurbishment. The baths reopened in 2010, blending their original Victorian charm with modern facilities.
Designed by Edinburgh architect Robert Morham under the Public Baths and Wash-houses Act of 1846, Glenogle was originally built to improve public health. As indoor plumbing became more common, the baths evolved into a hub for swimming and fitness, serving generations of local residents and clubs.
Now, as Glenogle looks to the future, the time capsule and garden stand as living tributes to the communityâs enduring connection to this historic venue.
Climate engagement programmes to protect our planet
Young people and people with sensory loss are among groups who will be supported by funding for projects aimed at increasing understanding of how climate change is relevant to them and how they can take action.
A total of ÂŁ273,000 of Climate Engagement funding will be shared among eight organisations in 2025-26 to support activities including climate literacy classes, community workshops and participatory arts sessions.
Since it launched in 2023, more than 15,000 people in Scotland have engaged with the Scottish Governmentâs world-leading Climate Engagement Fund, with awards totalling more than ÂŁ1 million to date.
The latest round of funding will support activities including:
A roadshow aimed at young people across Scotland demonstrating how sustainable construction can play a role in tackling climate change
A community arts programme using the voices of young people to mitigate climate anxiety by showing how others have converted their concerns into action
Actions to support people who are blind, partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing to explore sustainability through their local communities.
Climate literacy classes and green skills training to support people experiencing barriers to employment.
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “To reduce emissions and protect our planet from the threat of climate change and nature loss, it is essential that people understand how they can engage with vital projects within their communities and take their own climate action.
âScotland is now halfway to our 2045 climate change target. By supporting networks of people coming together to identify local action, the Climate Engagement Fund will help enable individuals and communities to directly contribute to a more sustainable and climate resilient Scotland.
âThe projects being supported in this round of funding include a community arts programme using the voices of young people, and green skills training to support people into employment.
“These are vital projects which will build understanding of climate change, enable participation in policy development, and encourage climate action.â
Forth Valley Sensory Centre College Operations Manager Sandy Gillone, said: âI am delighted that our project has been selected for funding as we know we were up against stiff competition.
âIt is fantastic to be partnering with FEL Scotland again and weâre looking forward to engaging with the public to find out which points of interest they would like included on our SustainAble for All Trail Maps.
âWeâre committed to delivering the maps in engaging and inclusive formats and we believe the consultation and design process itself will lead to increased awareness and understanding of climate change. Weâre not just seeking to raise awareness of the problem, we want to empower people to be part of the solution.â
More information on the Climate Engagement Fund: www.gov.scot/publications/climate-engagement-fund/
Details of all the projects receiving funding:
Organisation, Grant amount and Brief project description
Arran Eco Savvy – ÂŁ29,991.00
To deliver climate-focused events centred on storytelling, practical skills, and community participation tailored for different ages and interests.
Glenkens Community and Arts Trust – ÂŁ33,100.00
To use local voices to mitigate eco-anxiety in young people aged 18-30 by showing how other people have converted their concerns into action.
Built Environment Smarter Transformation – ÂŁ46,172.00
To deliver a roadshow programme for young people throughout Scotland demonstrating how sustainable, low-carbon construction can play a crucial role in combating climate change.
Changeworks – ÂŁ40,250.00
To build understanding among mobile homeowners of the climate emergency, how it relates to their lives and how they can take action while improving their own home environment.
Forth Valley Sensory Centre – ÂŁ33,000.00
Creating an accessible way for people who are blind, partially sighted, deaf, or hard of hearing, to explore sustainability through their local communities.
RIG Arts – ÂŁ25,290.00
To improve climate literacy and increase climate positive behaviour change in SIMD communities via arts-based interventions.
Jhankar Beats – ÂŁ30,000.00
To empower communities to reflect, respond, and act using the emotional and connective power of South Asian dance, music, and participatory arts.
Greener Kirkcaldy- ÂŁ35,942.00
To provide climate literacy and green skills training tailored for employability organisations and the people with barriers to employment
GRANTON GOES SUMMER – Saturday 16th August 10am to 2pm
Granton Goes SUMMER
Saturday 16th August 10am to 2pm
Granton Goes Summer in the grounds of Granton Parish Church.
Join the team at Granton Goes Greener for a family-friendly community event featuring a variety of workshops, stalls, and of course our famous Share ‘n’ Wear rails!
Find out more about Granton Goes Greener, while enjoying food and treats, including candy floss and a BBQ.
