Have you ever wanted to learn the secrets of the forest and brew your very own magical potion?
Join the legendary Befana and her trusty sidekick, Midnight, for an enchanting 60-minute adventure! In this interactive class, your little ones will: • Discover the secret powers of foraged herbs and plants
• Craft and brew their very own magical tea to drink
• Design their very own custom potion recipe page to take home!
Stockbridge Library Mon 3rd August at 3 to 4 pm 7 to 10 year olds
Places are limited. Contact the library to book your free space!
Experiences of young adults claiming Universal Credit in Scotland
Social security should be the foundation for a better life – a system that protects people’s rights, dignity and wellbeing. But what did our research team find when they looked to see if Universal Credit gives young adults the support they need?
The Poverty Alliance research intern Rachel Sowerby created this great infographic to tell the story of young adult parents’ experiences:
An 85-year-old woman has died after being struck by a car in Edinburgh.
The incident happened around 3.40pm on Monday, 20 July, 2026, outside the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on Little France Crescent and involved a red Peugeot 208 and two pedestrians.
The woman died in hospital during the morning of Thursday, 23 July, 2026.
An 88-year-old man remains in hospital for treatment to serious injuries.
No other injuries were reported.
Enquiries remain ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2205 of 20 July, 2026.
Police Scotland declares major incident as emergency services respond to wildfire near Nethy Bridge
Police Scotland has declared a major incident as emergency services continue to respond to the ongoing wildfire within the Cairngorms National Park.
The decision follows a significant change in weather conditions, with strengthening winds contributing to increased unpredictable fire behaviour and the spread of the wildfire towards Nethy Bridge.
As a precaution, all residents of Nethy Bridge are being evacuated to allow emergency services to continue their operational response safely and effectively. Residents are being directed to a dedicated respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort and access roads into Nethy Bridge have been closed.
Superintendent Judy Hill, Police Scotland, said: “The weather conditions experienced within the Cairngorms over the last 24 hours have added further complexities to this situation. With evidence suggesting the fire is spreading towards Nethy Bridge, the decision has been taken to declare a major incident and evacuate residents as a precaution.
“Additional police resources are being deployed to assist in contacting those who need to leave their properties and to maintain cordons around restricted areas while our fire service colleagues continue to tackle the wildfire.
“We understand this is a very concerning time for residents, businesses and visitors to the Cairngorms region. Please be assured that the multi-agency response remains fully committed to bringing this incident to a safe conclusion as quickly as possible.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has maintained a significant operational response since the wildfire was first reported on Wednesday, 15 July.
More than 500 firefighters have been mobilised over the course of the incident, alongside specialist wildfire appliances, all-terrain vehicles, helicopter water-bombing operations and partner agencies.
Firefighters continue to work across a vast and challenging landscape alongside Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, landowners, estate gamekeepers and emergency service partners.
Their expertise, local knowledge and support have been instrumental in helping crews respond to this complex and dynamic incident.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour said: “Our firefighters, specialist resources and partners have worked tirelessly over the past nine days to respond to this challenging and complex wildfire incident.
“The combination of prolonged dry conditions, strengthening winds and challenging terrain has created an extremely complex operational environment. Large areas of the fire ground are inaccessible by vehicle or on foot, making helicopter water-bombing operations and specialist wildfire tactics essential to our response.
“Throughout this incident, partnership working has been fundamental. I would like to thank Forestry and Land Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, landowners, estate gamekeepers and our emergency service partners, whose expertise, local knowledge and continued support have been invaluable in helping us protect communities and the natural environment.
“More than 500 firefighters have been mobilised since the incident began, supported by specialist wildfire appliances, all-terrain vehicles, helicopters and partner agencies. We will continue to maintain a significant operational response for as long as it is required.
“We recognise this is an extremely worrying time for those affected, particularly residents who have been asked to leave their homes. Public safety remains our absolute priority, and we ask everyone to continue following the advice of Police Scotland and to stay away from the affected areas while firefighting operations remain ongoing.”
Members of the public should continue to avoid the affected areas within the Cairngorms National Park. The area remains unsafe due to active firefighting operations, rapidly changing fire conditions and helicopter activity.
The following areas remain closed or subject to access restrictions:
• Paths around Glenmore, Loch Morlich and Badaguish. • Low-level routes including the Old Logging Way and routes providing access to Cairngorm Mountain, the Northern Corries, Meall A’ Bhuachaille, the Green Loch (Lochan Uaine), Strath Nethy and Bynack More. • Paths within Abernethy Forest to the south of Forest Lodge towards Ryvoan Bothy. Residents are urged to follow all advice issued by Police Scotland and emergency services.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) met last night to discuss the evacuation of Nethy Bridge after Police Scotland declared the Cairngorms National Park wildfire a major incident.
The meeting was chaired by First Minister John Swinney and attended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth, Justice Secretary Neil Gray and other Ministers and partners.
The First Minister said: “This is clearly a very serious situation and is a hugely concerning and anxious time for residents and businesses in Nethy Bridge, and my thoughts are with them.
“As a result of changes in wind conditions that intensified the pace of spread of the wildfire, Police Scotland declared a major incident requiring the evacuation of the village of Nethy Bridge as a precaution.
“SFRS resources are focussed on creating a fire break and additional police resources are being deployed to assist with the evacuation, including identifying vulnerable residents who may need extra support. Residents are being directed to a respite centre in Aviemore, where Highland Council can provide support and advice.
“I am extremely grateful to all the first responders who have been working hard to control this fire since it was first reported last Wednesday. I remain in continued contact with SFRS and partners and SGORR will convene again.
“This is a serious situation and I strongly urge people to continue to follow all advice from emergency services and transport authorities and continue to avoid the affected areas in the Cairngorms National Park.”
SATURDAY 25 JULY UPDATE
Resilience Room reconvenes to discuss ongoing incident
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) reconvened this morning at 7am to review the position on the Cairngorms National Park wildfire.
The meeting was chaired by First Minister John Swinney and attended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland, other partners, Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth and Justice Secretary Neil Gray.
A precautionary evacuation of Nethy Bridge began on Friday 24 July 2026 after Police Scotland declared a major incident following changes in wind conditions that intensified the pace of spread of the wildfire.
A fire break around the village was established overnight, new fire breaks are being constructed and SFRS is deploying additional resources.
The First Minister said: “This continues to be a very serious situation. Residents, businesses and people staying in the affected areas will understandably be very worried. My thoughts are with them and I thank them for their understanding.
“With the fire changing to be in the direction of Nethy Bridge yesterday afternoon, a precautionary evacuation was put in place and a fire break was successfully established overnight to protect the village. Police officers visited all properties in Nethy Bridge and officers are in the village today to support residents.
“The wind has changed direction overnight, which means the track of the fire has altered once again and the threat to Nethy Bridge has reduced, for the moment at least. Ground and helicopter resources are being focused on the current path of the fire and new fire breaks constructed.
“This demonstrates how these situations can change very quickly and dramatically, reflecting the challenges being faced by SFRS and the other responders tackling this wildfire. It does not mean however that anyone should return to that area until they have been given the go-ahead to do so. Further decisions will be taken later today by the Local Resilience Partnership and the Scottish Government Resilience Room will also reconvene.
“I remain extremely grateful to the emergency services and all those involved who are working tirelessly to control this fire and support local residents. I reiterate the message that people in the area must follow the advice of emergency services and the Cairngorms National Park – it is essential people avoid the affected areas.”
South West Community Policing Team (SWCPT) officers have been carrying out a shoplifting initiative with plain clothes patrols concentrating on the Gorgie, Dalry and Chesser areas:
A 35 year old male was arrested on 15 outstanding warrants and charged with 23 shoplifting offences.
A 34 year old female was arrested on 3 warrants and charged with 26 shoplifting offences.
A 24 year old male was arrested and charged with 9 shoplifting offences and an offence under the Protection of Retail Workers Act.
A 45 year old male was arrested and charged with a shoplifting offence having attempted to sell his stolen alcohol to a local pub. The pub refused to buy it from him.
A 26 year old male and female were both reported for a theft shoplifting and males aged 19, 20 and 35 were all given Recorded Police Warnings for shoplifting offences.
If you live in Edinburgh and have difficulty travelling or receive certain benefits, we may be able to help you visit a family member residing in a Scottish prison or the State Hospital, at no cost:
On Saturday August 1st from 2pm staff and residents at Queens Manor care home in Barnton will be hosting an afternoon of exciting contemporary performances as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Cares Fest, now in its fifth year.
Taking to the stage at 3pm will be Lai Yee, an acrobat and contemporary street performer from Hong Kong who specialises in flow arts which include juggling, Cyr wheel and light dancing.
Then at 4pm, talented and versatile vocalist Anna Vanosi will showcase some of her broad repertoire working across jazz, contemporary and storytelling-led live performance. Her work ranges from intimate jazz sets to theatrical interpretations of songs, always focused on character, rhythm, and emotional connection.
Both performances promise to be a feast for the senses.
The performances are free of charge and open to the local community, the team at Queens Manor very much hope that friends and neighbours will come along to enjoy the event and some refreshments along with the residents and their loved ones.
General Manager, Margaret-Ann Davidson said, “The Fringe Cares Fest started right here in Queens Manor five years ago and it is wonderful to watch it grow from strength to strength every year, I think there are performances in 20 Edinburgh care homes this year.
“We hope that everyone will come and join us to enjoy the performances, it will be a fantastic event and everyone is welcome.”
Queens Manor care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Queens Manor provides residential and residential dementia care for 60 residents from respite breaks to long term stays.
Dig out your pencils and come out and play for a weekend celebrating nature and art in our community.
Whether you are a keen artist, or last drew at primary school, all are welcome to come and get stuck in with our art materials and activities. Get arty on Saturday and see the full exhibition of works on Sunday.
Activities include:
• Learning plant identification through sketching (workshop at 11am and 1pm)
• Design your own mythical beast of Granton
• Clay creature sculpting
• Ant’s eye view – get up close to tiny worlds
• Get imaginative with our art materials – stay and make for as long as you like
• Add your nature art to our exhibition
• Teas, coffees and snacks by donation
Click here for free Eventbrite booking.
Find us at Granton Hub, Maldevic House, Granton Park Avenue, EH5 1HS (We are wheelchair accessible).
Andy Burnham yesterday became the first Prime Minister to work from No10 North, declaring ‘the days of power being hoarded in SW1 are over’
Burnham throws open the doors to No10 North, marking a new era of power flowing out of Whitehall and into every postcode
PM revives the National Economic Council in Manchester, bringing ministers and regional mayors around the table to drive devolution from week one
Comes as PM gives families and business owners breathing space with VAT off electricity bills, £2 bus fare cap restored, and a 20% business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues
Andy Burnham yesterday became the first Prime Minister to work from No10 North as he declared the days of power being hoarded in SW1 are over.
Operating from Heron House in Manchester’s city centre, No10 North will be the government’s new situation room for growth. It brings the levers of local economic growth and devolution together under one roof for the first time.
The Prime Minister is expected to work from No10 North each week so that decisions about the country’s economic future will no longer exclusively be made in Westminster. Other ministers will also work from No10 North on a regular basis, underlining this Government’s determination to do things differently.
The Prime Minister will chair the first meeting of the revived National Economic Council at No10 North today (Friday), bringing together senior ministers and regional mayors to put devolution at the centre of the Government’s mission to make Britian better.
The National Economic Council was first established in 2008 to provide a national response to an economic emergency. Its revival reflects the Prime Minister’s belief that delivering economic growth now requires the same level of urgency, focus and collective action, bringing together other government departments and local leaders.
Regional mayors will be invited to sit around the table, cementing devolution at the centre of economic decision-making and backing the Prime Minister’s pledge to rewire Britain so that decisions are taken with local leaders, not just for them.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “For 40 years, power and resources have been sucked into the centre, and too many communities have felt forgotten, without the attention and investment they deserve.
“No 10 North will change that by putting more power into every postcode across the entire country.
“It will be the situation room for making Britain better – the place we use to get power out of Westminster, into the hands of people at a local level, so that they can turn things around.
“The days of Whitehall resisting devolution are over, for good.”
Ahead of the first meeting of the National Economic Council, the Prime Minister will speak to leading Business Representative Organisations including the Federation of Small Business, CBI and the BCC to discuss how Government and business can work together to unlock growth, investment and create jobs across the country.
The NEC’s attendees will flex according to the issues under consideration, bringing together business leaders, trade unions and other partners where their expertise can help drive delivery.
Local economic growth, devolution strategy and local growth policy are being brought together so that government departments, mayors, combined authorities and business can work from a single plan rather than competing ones.
First Secretary of State Louise Haigh said: “Today marks a fundamental re-balancing of where power sits in our country. No10 North has been set up to drive economic growth in every postcode and put power in the hands of every community.
“Through this department, this Government will ensure that the places overlooked by Westminster for decades are given a real voice. No.10 North is open for business.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey MP added: “This is a new era for devolution. Never before has a government been so serious about passing on its own power from Westminster in favour of local areas.
“No10 North sits at the heart of that plan. This is the way we signal real change – and the way we get it done.”
The meeting comes off the back of a series of interventions made to ease the cost of living and back local high streets, setting the tone for the PM’s cost-of-living government.
This week the government has announced:
The removal of VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, saving a typical household around £45 a year.
The £2 cap on bus fares in England will kick in from January 2027.
A 20% cut in business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues in England from April 2027, benefiting nearly 32,000 venues and worth around £1,100 a year to a typical pub, on top of the 15% relief already in place.
SWINNEY: “A win for Scotland and a win for the United States”
First Minister John Swinney has welcomed the lifting of US tariffs on Scotch whisky and the creation of a ‘zero-for-zero’ tariff regime from today.
The exemption announced by President Trump following the King’s State Visit in April, was confirmed by US Authorities today and come into force today (Friday).
Scotland exports more whisky to the United States than to any other country.
The First Minister said: “The end of US tariffs on Scotch whisky has now been confirmed by the US Authorities and from, tomorrow, will be whisky will be tariff free.
“This follows the remarkable contribution of the King and a ‘Team Scotland’ approach that saw the Scotch Whisky Association and the Scottish Government work hand in hand.
“We were able to partner with the bourbon industry in the United States, raise the issue with President Trump in the Oval Office, and get this issue on his agenda.
“The result is a ‘zero-for-zero’ tariff regime that is a win for Scotland and a win for the United States. It benefits businesses and workers on both sides of the Atlantic and not just among whisky producers but also the businesses and communities that support the sector across Scotland.
“This is a good day for Scotland.”
International Director at the Scotch Whisky Association Ian Duddy said: “The return of tariff-free trade for Scotch Whisky in the US is welcome news for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.
“As Scotch Whisky’s most valuable global market, worth £933 million in 2025, the removal of tariffs provides greater confidence to invest, grow exports, and support jobs and communities across Scotland and the US.
“From Kentucky to Speyside, this will not only benefit the Scotch and US whisky sectors, but our wider supply chains of cooperages, farmers, hospitality and retail.
“This outcome is testament to the strength of the enduring relationship between the UK and the US. On behalf of the Scotch Whisky industry, we are grateful to everyone who worked to make this happen, including His Majesty The King during his recent State Visit.
“We look forward to building on this positive momentum and working with partners on both sides of the Atlantic to ensure Scotch Whisky continues to thrive.”
To mark the long-awaited milestone, Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander visited Pernod Ricard’s Strathclyde Distillery in the heart of Glasgow.
Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said: “This is a day of celebration for Scotland’s whisky industry. The removal of tariffs by the US is a significant measure that will open up opportunities for growth and prominence for this already beloved Scottish product in US towns and cities.
The action taken by President Trump demonstrates the partnership our two countries have and the close working in trade that supports economic growth both here in the UK and in the United States.
This is the second action this month which has opened up the world even more to our whisky exports, with the India Free Trade Agreement, which came into force earlier in July, seeing tariffs reduced from 150% to 40% over the next ten years.
Businesses have also benefitted from recent deals with China, the Gulf Co-operation Council, the EU, and the US, as the UK Government delivers for Scotland and continues to use the strength and reach of the UK to support economic growth in Scotland.
“I join all those raising a dram today for the efforts to reach this point and look forward to seeing our whisky industry flourish.”
The whisky industry supports 41,000 jobs in Scotland and a further 25,000 jobs across the UK, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.
The removal of tariffs by the US is the latest big win for the industry this month, with the India FTA coming into force and reducing whisky tariffs from 150% to 75% immediately, then to 40% over ten years.
