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If we have the political will we can make this the last year where people have to go hungry, Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury has said. 

Foysol Choudhury is calling on parliamentarians to support Rhoda Grant MSP’s ‘Right to Food’ bill, which would enshrine the right to food in Scots Law. 

The MSP said that food poverty in the City of Edinburgh is at unacceptable levels. The Trussell Trust reported that it has distributed some 8,974 food parcels to people in Scotland in the six months from April to September this year, including a shameful 2,948 distributed to children.

In August, the Food Foundation reported that 10.3 per cent of Scots were experiencing food in security. 

With the Tory cut to Universal Credit set to push families across Scotland further and further into poverty, Edinburgh Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury is calling for urgent action to tackle food poverty.

Foysol Choudhury said: “There is no reason at all why anyone should be going hungry in a wealthy nation like Scotland. 

“The evidence is clear – thousands of Scots are in food poverty and many more are being put at risk due to Tory cuts. 

“These appalling figures show how many families in the City of Edinburgh are relying on food banks to get by.

“We simply cannot stand back and allow this situation to continue.  

“If we have the political will we can end food poverty in Scotland by enshrining it as a human right in Scots Law. 

“This will send a powerful message to the country that we are serious about tackling the scourge of food poverty and force us into action. 

“Let’s make this a reality, so no-one in Edinburgh has to go hungry next Christmas.” 

St Andrews Brewing Company are delighted to announce the release of “Mistaken Identity” which supports the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

As with their previous rugby release “38 Year Itch” which celebrated the Scottish Rugby Team’s historic victory at Twickenham, all profits from the sale of Mistaken Identity will be donated to the foundation.

The name Mistaken Identity is a reference to Doddie’s defence when he was alleged to have broken curfew on the 1997 Lions Tour to South Africa.

Philip Mackey, St Andrews Brewing Company MD, said “We are delighted to be supporting such a fantastic cause in our own unique way. In what remain challenging times for many people we hope that Mistaken Identity will bring a little festive cheer and will prove the beer of choice for the opening weekend of the 2022 6Nations Championships.”

Mistaken Identity can be purchased exclusively from the St. Andrews Brewing Company website www.standrewsbrewingcompany.com

With just four days left to get ‘boosted by the bells’ all remaining over-18s are being urged to come along for their COVID-19 booster.

Latest published figures show 73.5% of eligible adults aged 18 and above in Scotland have now received their booster or third dose, giving them the best possible protection against coronavirus.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf visited the vaccination centre at the Dewars Centre in Perth yesterday to thank staff for their ongoing efforts over the Christmas period, and encourage people to keep coming forward.

Mr Yousaf said: “Since the emergence of the Omicron variant there has been a monumental effort by everyone on Scotland’s vaccination programme to make sure we can deliver booster vaccines as quickly as possible. That’s because it is the single best way to protect people’s health, and the NHS.

“This week we are calling on everyone in the country to rally round and do their bit by coming forward for their booster dose.

“I know that many people will have some well-deserved time off at this time of year. And if you haven’t yet had your covid booster, there is bound to be a vaccination clinic or drop-in centre near to you.

“Please have a look on the online portal to book an appointment, or check your local NHS board’s social media channels to find out where the vaccine is being offered, so you can join the thousands of others who have been boosted by the bells.   

“If you’ve yet to have your first or second dose, it still isn’t too late for that either. Our vaccination teams are waiting for you, so please come along. The sooner you have your first dose, the sooner you can then get your second, and then your booster, for the extra protection that gives.”

COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise

Breakdown of daily figures over the festive break

Provisional data indicates an increasing number of COVID-19 cases. Figures for 25, 26 and 27 December are the highest daily totals recorded in Scotland since the start of the pandemic. 

While the figures for each day covers tests reported in the preceding 24 hour period, the lag in reporting means that the majority of these cases will relate to tests done before the Christmas break.

With the longer turnaround time for test results at the moment, the actual number of positive COVID-19 cases may be higher.

The figures are:

25 December 2021: 8,252 cases

26 December 2021: 11,030 cases

27 December 2021: 10,562 cases

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “While these figures are provisional, the steep increase in cases we have been expecting is now materialising, and this reflects the significantly increased transmissibility of Omicron.

“We would expect to see case numbers rise further in the days ahead – though it is worth bearing in mind that they are likely to have been even higher but for the compliance of the public with the guidance issued in the run up to Christmas. 

“These figures underline how important it is that we don’t underestimate the impact of Omicron – even if the rate of hospitalisation associated with it is much lower than past strains of the virus, case numbers this high will still put an inevitable further strain on NHS. This level of infection will also cause a significant and severely disruptive level of sickness absence across the economy and critical services. 

“So even though we are all thoroughly fed up with the impact of Covid on our lives, it is really important that over the new year period we follow guidance to help slow the spread of the virus while we complete the accelerated booster programmes. 

“In addition to observing good hand hygiene and wearing face coverings, I am asking everyone to limit contacts as much as possible, to keep any essential indoor gatherings to a maximum of three households, and to get boosted by the bells. 

“I know sticking to all of these measures is really hard – especially at this time of year – but there’s no doubt whatsoever it will help keep us safer.”

The unique light and wild landscape of the East Cairngorms has long attracted curious creatives for whom the wilderness is their inspiration and subject matter. But more recently, the surrounding rural villages of Ballater, Braemar and Crathie are attracting international audiences for their art and cultural offerings.

Awash with galleries, craftspeople, and artists; the East Cairngorms offers a coveted combination of cosy inside spaces where visitors can absorb the works of famed and local artists whilst indulging in the variety of gastronomical delicacies available; as well as a chance to get out into the rugged wilderness of the surrounding hills to experience first-hand the dramatic scenery and skies that have long served as inspiration to artists, poets, writers, and musicians.  

International art audiences will likely be familiar with the boutique hotel, The Fife Arms in Braemar; the Victorian construction, consciously restored by co-founders of the acclaimed global gallery Hauser & Wirth. Here, you can sleep and dine amongst masterpieces from Picasso and Lucian Freud; vast murals by Argentinian Guillermo Kuitca as well as countless local artists and hundreds of priceless antiques.

Tom Addy, construction manager of the Fife Arms restoration, and artisan furniture maker and owner of Tor Workshop in Braemar says, “It’s not what you expect to find in a rural Scottish Village – there’s internationally famous artworks at the Fife, a French patisserie, and some really niche artisan shops run by unique makers that hark back to yester year.”

“The Fife attracts an art aware audience and people who deeply appreciate beautiful art, and objects that are made well and made locally with story and meaning behind them. And its presence has caused a ripple, giving local artists, makers, and creatives the confidence to step forward with their own ideas.

“We’ve seen a wave of events, activities and enterprises emerge in recent years and now have a diverse range of craft shops, places to eat and activities for locals and visitors.”

Addy says it is, “the juxtaposition of the wild nature and the comfort of home and hearth that has created a culture of its own here. It is when people come in off the hills and reflect, write, paint, create and tell stories of their experience: that’s where the magic lies.”

“People’s relationship with the land is at the heart of the art here. You cannot remove one from the other. For me and many artists and makers here, provenance is so important. Respect for the landscape and materials we use and communicating the stories, history and meaning through the objects we create.”

Andrew Braidwood who owns and runs Braemar Art Gallery adds;

“A lot of folk come here to do site specific art – because it is so easy to get off the beaten track; to be alone and uninterrupted. That peace is not always that easy to find elsewhere.”

“You can take in the incredible skies and light we get here – which you see reflected in so much of the art created here throughout time. We’re so lucky to have so little light and sound pollution. It makes it a special place for artists.”

“I’ve noticed a shift towards artists here getting involved with the environmental rewilding movement, considering how the landscapes are used and how we can repair it. There is recognition of art as a medium to slow us down and connect us more deeply with nature.”

In acknowledgement of the East Cairngorm’s growing presence as a hub for art and culture, a new campaign was launched in November by Ballater Business Association (BBA) and Braemar Tourism Group (BTG).  

The campaign, which includes a website, promotional video, digital trail map, trip planner, is the second in a series of five which aim to inspire visitors to explore the East Cairngorms as a year-round destination for outdoor activity. 

For more information on Arts and Culture in the East Cairngorms, head to https://www.visitballater.com/east-cairngorms-art-and-culture-trail/

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Issue by Jane Craigie Marketing on behalf of Ballater Business Association and Braemar Tourism Group. For additional press information, please contact Alana Black on 07596 122184 or alana@janecraigie.com.

Click on the images to download.

Information about Ballater Business Association

Ballater Business Association represents businesses who trade within the Dinnet to Crathie area, who have a common interest in sustaining a thriving community through the local economy.  The BBA work in partnership with the Cairngorm Business Partnership and Visit Cairngorms to support our businesses.  In April 2021 the BBA began a collaboration with Braemar Tourism Group to work together on projects of mutual benefit and the promotion of the ‘East Cairngorms’ is the first of these initiatives, funded through a Visit Scotland Grant.  For more information contact Susan Stewart on the email secretary@visitballater.com 

Information about Braemar Tourism Group

Braemar Tourism Group is a thriving association, promoting Braemar and Crathie to visitors and locals alike. Membership has increased recently to 55 members, all working together to encourage people to visit, stay longer and return. Braemar is in the very heart of the Cairngorms National Park (we have a close bond with the Cairngorms Business Partnership/VisitCairngorms) but we are also in Royal Deeside. Forming a collaboration with Ballater seemed the perfect opportunity to work together for mutual benefit, in promoting the Eastern Cairngorms as a year-round destination. Please contact Sarah, Chair of the BTG for more information sarahhubbard21@gmail.com