POLICE have responded to a number of incidents of football-related disorder and violence in Edinburgh in recent months.As a result, Chief Superintendent David Robertson has authorised the use of powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
This allows officers to stop and search people where this is appropriate and necessary, either in vehicles or on foot.
This power allows officers to require the removal of any item the officer believes is being used wholly or partly for the purposes of concealing their identity.
The Section 60 stop and search power will be in force in various areas, including the city centre and Leith, from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday, 2 March,2025.
It will be used responsibly and when justified to help prevent disorder and serious violence.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson said: “Over the past few months, we have responded to several incidents of disorder and violence linked to football events in Edinburgh.
“Attacks on police officers, possession of offensive weapons or dangerous instruments, and attempts to evade justice by concealing their identity will not be tolerated. Our officers will take all necessary action to ensure public safety.
“This type of behaviour impacts the local community and the vast majority of football fans who simply want to enjoy these events safely.”
PENTLANDS MSP Gordon Macdonald has announced that he is to step down at the next Holyrood elections.
The SNP MSP told constituents:
‘It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency over the last fourteen years. The Boundary Commission has decided to retire the name of the constituency in May 2026; this will coincide with reaching my own retirement age which I believe is the right time for me to step down from the Scottish Parliament at the forthcoming election.
I have during my time in office tried to serve you diligently and I am deeply thankful for the trust and support you have extended to me over the years.
Since my election in 2011, I have strived to be a voice for our community, working on issues ranging from the need for local affordable housing to national policy that affects our daily lives.
Whether it was advocating for local retail businesses, pushing for better health services, or ensuring our education system serves every child, I have sought to represent the spirit and needs of Edinburgh Pentlands with integrity and passion.
I want to express my thanks to my office team and party activists, past and present, who have been tireless in their support, and to all the residents, community groups, and stakeholders I have had the pleasure of working with. Your engagement has been the cornerstone of my work here.
As I prepare to leave this role, I commit to using my remaining time to ensure a smooth transition and to continue addressing the issues that matter to us all.
I have worked tirelessly for 50 years to achieve independence and will continue to campaign for Scotland to join the family of nations. The members of my local branch have been informed of my decision.
Thank you, once again, for the privilege of serving as your MSP.
Nine of the UK’s leading book festivals are delighted to announce an exciting new collaboration as they join together in membership of the British Arts Festivals Association (BAFA).
In light of the common funding challenges that arts organisations face and an ever-evolving media landscape, the Edinburgh International Book Festival has united with eight of its peers to create a new platform for discussion and collaboration.
This move to help futureproof literary festivals across the country is made possible courtesy of a generous donation from award-winning, independent publishers Canongate, which will support the festivals’ membership fee.
All nine festivals were until last year sponsored by Baillie Gifford.
Joining Cheltenham and Stratford, who are existing BAFA members, Edinburgh International Book Festival joins the Association alongside other UK book festivals – Borders Book Festival, Cambridge Literary Festival, Hay Festival, Henley Literary Festival, Wigtown Book Festival and Wimbledon BookFest.
BAFA, which has other book festivals as members, offers vital support to UK arts festivals at all levels, from volunteer run organisations to some of the most iconic names in the UK arts calendar including BBC Proms, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, London Soundtrack Festival and many more.
Membership of BAFA will not only offer a shared forum for festivals to liaise and co-ordinate mutual support, bolstering their lobbying power, it will also afford each festival access to additional resources and academic links, as well as discounted services that prove invaluable in the running of large-scale arts events. Ultimately, this new common membership of BAFA will enable a stronger collective voice for communicating the value and benefit of book festivals.
Despite their significant profile in the wider festivals landscape, this will mark the first time that book festivals have engaged in such a UK-wide collaboration.
It is hoped that BAFA will build on the work already achieved by Scottish book festivals via the Scottish Book Festivals Network, collaborating on a national scale and thus reaching a wider audience.
BAFA supports the arts festivals sector through networking, training, advocacy and support. As a united voice for the sector, BAFA champions arts festivals and will be using the findings of its Festivals Forward research, commissioned by BOP Consulting in 2024, to make the case for the sector’s unique contribution not only to the UK’s cultural life but to its audiences and communities.
Annie Ashworth, Director of Stratford Literary Fetsival, said: ‘We have been members of BAFA for many years and enjoyed the benefits.
“Book festivals are a vital part of the UK’s cultural landscape and, by more of us linking with each other under its umbrella, we can share our challenges, best practice and ideas, and offer even more value to audiences, authors and publishers.’
Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: ‘We are really excited to announce this partnership. Our group of festivals has been working more collaboratively since last summer, and see real opportunity in continuing to share expertise and strengthening our partnerships.
“Joining BAFA is a great example of how working together can really bolster our collective impact. Book festivals are critical for writers, and are a vital part of both publishing and of the wider cultural landscape.
“We look forward to working together to navigate an ever changing arts landscape and championing the huge value of what we do, all across the UK.’
Fiona Goh, Director of BAFA, said: ‘BAFA is delighted to welcome these acclaimed and diverse literary festivals to our membership, joining other arts festivals from across the UK, including the BBC Proms, Harrogate International Festivals and Cheltenham Festivals.
“We’re looking forward to working together to support book festivals to develop and flourish, and to champion the extraordinary work of these events in enriching the lives of communities across the UK.‘
THE Gandhian Peace Society (GPS) has shared ‘an urgent and transformative development’ – the recent publication of their new report,Hinduphobia in Scotland: Understanding, Addressing, and Overcoming Prejudice:
As a charity rooted in Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, GPS is proud to announce that this pioneering study has been presented to the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice of Hinduphobia in the UK (writes DHRUVA KUMAR, General Secretary of Gandhian Peace Society).
Our report, presented to the CPG on 23 January 2024 and discussed in a meeting chaired by Foysol Choudhury MSP and convened by Professor Peter Hopkins, blends rigorous statistical data with firsthand accounts from Scotland’s Hindu population—approximately 0.3% of the country’s 5.4 million residents.
The findings reveal a troubling rise in prejudice and systemic barriers:
56% Surge in Hate Crimes: Police Scotland data shows a 56% increase in charges linked to anti-Hindu prejudice between 2019 and 2021. Notable incidents include the 2021 vandalism of Dundee’s Shree Sanatan Mandir and the 2020 arson attack on Edinburgh’s Radha Krishna Temple.
Systemic Workplace Discrimination: Hindus face the lowest public-sector recruitment rates among religious groups—1.99% at NHS Greater Glasgow, 2.7% at Glasgow City Council, and 1.39% at Renfrewshire Council. A 2022 study found that 93% of Hindu employees avoid wearing religious attire at work, while 38% report denied requests for religious holidays.
Social Stigma: A survey revealed that 16% of Scots would feel uncomfortable with a relative marrying a Hindu, a higher rate than for Muslims (14%), Jews (11%), or Buddhists (9%).
These findings, compiled over eight months of collaboration with academics, interfaith leaders, and community members, underscore the urgent need for action. Professor Hopkins praised the report’s evidence-based approach, while Peter lauded GPS for bringing Hinduphobia into public discourse.
Beyond documenting these challenges, our report proposes an actionable four-pillar strategy to address Hinduphobia:
Legal Reforms: Strengthen Scotland’s Hate Crime Act to explicitly recognize Hinduphobia as a distinct form of prejudice.
Education: Revise school curricula to include accurate teachings about Hindu history and culture, countering ignorance and stereotypes.
Workplace Policies: Mandate anti-discrimination training and clear guidelines for religious accommodations in public and private sectors.
Community Support: Establish interfaith networks and victim support hubs to foster solidarity and resilience.
As Dhruva Kumar, Sukhi Bains and Neil Lal, authors of the report, aptly stated: “This isn’t a Hindu issue alone. It’s about building a Scotland where diversity is protected.”
The significance of this report extends far beyond Scotland. It has sparked widespread dialogue, with coverage in over 110 media outlets worldwide, including ANI, Press Trust of India, HinduPost The Week, The Tribune, Business Standard, The Print and WashingtonDCDespatch, as well as prominent Asian platforms like Awaz FM.
Dhruva Kumar said: “Scotland has a long tradition of welcoming diversity. We must uphold those values by ensuring that no religious community faces marginalisation or discrimination.”
Explore the hidden streets of Edinburgh like never before with The Real Mary King’s Close ‘Underground Unlocked’ experience
The streets beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile which were home to real residents, will come alive once again.
For one evening only on Thursday, 13th March, The Real Mary King’s Close is inviting guests to a truly unique event that will cast The Close in an entirely new light. Unlike the usual guided experiences, this immersive event will let visitors wander the streets at their own pace, uncover hidden tales, and interact with the past in an environment brimming with atmosphere and characters.
The one-of-a-kind event will see the streets beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile buzz with life as guests stroll through preserved homes and businesses, stepping into the world of those who once lived, worked, and died here.
Recently crowned the UK’s best tourist attraction and ranked 11th best visitor attraction in Europe in the 2024 TripAdvisor® Travellers’ Choice® Awards – Best of the Best, The Real Mary King’s Close continues to captivate visitors with its unique blend of history, storytelling, and immersive experiences.
Guests at ‘Underground Unlocked’ will come face to face with the people who once called The Close home. Encounter the enigmatic plague doctor, John Paulitious, and hear his grim warnings. Stop for a conversation with Mary Stewart, Mary Queen of Scots, who spent her last night in Edinburgh in Pearson’s Close.
Exchange words with renowned poet Robert Fergusson, or pause to listen to Janet Chesney, mother of the Close’s final resident, as she shares memories of a vanished way of life.
The two-hour experience will allow guests to wander leisurely and curiously as every turn reveals a new piece of history, character, and every shadow holds a secret.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “Our new Underground Unlocked events give a rare chance to explore The Real Mary King’s Close at your own pace for up to two hours.
“During the one-off experience, guests will meet and interact with up to 13 historic residents, and step inside preserved homes and businesses, exactly as they stood centuries ago.”
“We wanted to give an idea of what the streets would have been like back in the 17th when the Close would have been bustling with life. At The Real Mary King’s Close, we are passionate about storytelling and creating unforgettable experiences that transport our visitors back in time.
“We can’t wait to welcome them to ‘Underground Unlocked’ and give them our most immersive experience yet.”
The special ‘Underground Unlocked’ experience will be running on Thursday 13th March from 18.00 until 21.00. Tickets are £40 per person. Spaces are extremely limited, so pre-booking is highly recommended.
How about some feelgood drumming session this weekend?
@edmcfest director Morgan Njobo is bringing his signature drumming workshop rooted in the South African rhythms to South Queensferry Library at 2pm tomorrow – Saturday 1st March.
Local authorities could be given the optional power to introduce a tax on cruise ships that visit their areas in future.
The Scottish Government is seeking views on the practicalities of such a levy, as well as the potential market implications and effect on local economies and communities.
Analysis shows there were around 1,000 cruise ship visits to Scottish ports in 2024, bringing 1.2 million passengers – an increase of almost 400,000 per year compared with 2019.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “The tourism sector is a crucially important part of the Scottish economy and cruise visits are increasing. The consultation will help to inform the Scottish Government’s decision over whether or not to bring forward legislation and it is really important that we hear from a wide variety of voices on this matter.
“Last year, we held events to hear the views of the cruise ship industry, local government, and others. We want to continue the helpful dialogue which started at those events, and explore further what a cruise ship levy could mean in a Scottish context.”
The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a nationwide cruise ship levy.
The areas that welcome the most cruise passengers are Invergordon, Orkney, Edinburgh, Lerwick, and Greenock, and the average ship in the five busiest ports carries over 1,000 passengers.
Gordon Macdonald MSP has highlighted the record funding going to City of Edinburgh Council after the Scottish Budget was passed at Holyrood this week, providing a £1 billion increase in funding to local authorities.
After the budget received cross-party support – despite Labour and Tory MSPs sitting on their hands – City of Edinburgh Council is set to receive an increase in funding worth £60 million.
This increases funding for local priorities, teachers, and additional support for learning and to tackle the climate emergency. It also facilitates pay increases agreed for teachers, social care workers, refuse collectors and more.
Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “This year’s Scottish Budget provides record funding for Edinburgh Council which will help deliver the services people rely on and ensure our communities get the investment they need.
“After over a decade of austerity and a Labour tax hike which is set to cost councils £100 million, our local authorities have been repeatedly betrayed by Westminster parties.
“Under the SNP, we are not only investing in our local councils, but we are mitigating the impact of Westminster decisions, to the tune of £144 million for the National Insurance hike alone.
“This SNP government is delivering for the city, and I am pleased parliament has backed this budget to ensure that continues.”
