We have a film for you tomorrow night at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre about rewilding. 6pm-8.45. Film starts at 6.30.
There are also two ecology and urban rewilding practitioners coming to speak to us about what we can do to restore nature in our local environments. Wouldn’t it be lovely to keep our birds singing and our local mammals living near us? The deer, badgers and foxes, whether you enjoy seeing them or not are part of our essential environment.
At the base of this food chain are the insects which the birds rely on to feed their chicks.
What can we do to preserve and even increase the natural habitats around us?
Come along and find out Tuesday night and meet some of your neighbours too!
Island communities are set to benefit from a new plan to improve housing and healthcare, alongside efforts to grow the economy and increase the number of people living on Scotland’s islands.
The second National Islands Plan will deliver targeted actions across seven key themes, including committing to delivering more affordable homes, improving access to childcare and exploring permanent transport links – specifically bridges and tunnels to improve connectivity. The Plan also introduces further efforts to pilot remote diagnosis technology to improve access to medical advice.
Further actions include an island scholarship pilot scheme for postgraduate students, and the promotion of Gaelic and island languages such as Orcadian and Shetlandic.
Launching the refreshed plan while visiting Orkney and Shetland, First Minister John Swinney said: “Island communities are a key national asset and are central to our vision of Scotland as a successful country in which to live, work and study.
“Islanders have told us clearly what they need to pursue their ambitions: homes they can afford, transport they can rely on, and more accessible local services – this plan will deliver for our island communities. It is focused, it is practical, and it puts islanders in the driving seat of their own future.
“When our islands thrive, Scotland thrives.”
Louise McQuaid, Young Islanders Network Senior Development Worker said: “The Young Islanders Network (YIN) is delighted to see the release of the New National Islands plan and we are particularly pleased that some of our key feedback can be seen in the actions of the new plan.
“We welcome the continued support for YIN within the plan and look forward to helping ensure that the voices of young islanders are heard and able to influence decision making which affects their lives.”
Luke Fraser from the Scottish Islands Federation said: “The Scottish Islands Federation welcomes the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to island focused policymaking through the National Islands Plan II and we look forward to working in collaboration to implement the key priorities.
“Ongoing, dedicated support for islands is essential – not as an extension of rural policy, but as a recognition that islands face some fundamentally different challenges and opportunities. As the Plan moves into delivery, sustained focus, long-term investment and meaningful partnership will be key to ensuring it delivers lasting benefits for island communities.”
More than 280 tonnes of used fishing nets will be sent from Scotland to Ukraine to help the nation defend itself against deadly Russian drone attacks.
The used salmon farm nets had been stored ready for recycling but will now be sent to Ukraine following a request from its government.
Vital infrastructure and strategic locations in Eastern Ukraine will be protected as the nets are draped overhead catching exploding drones.
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said: “As we approach the fourth anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine the Scottish Government is committed to aiding Ukraine’s defence and this donation demonstrates that our support is unwavering.
“The Ukrainian Minister for the Development of Communities made a direct request for Scotland to supply used fishing nets, which would be repurposed to provide anti-drone netting on public roads in Eastern Ukraine.
“We identified 228 old salmon farm nets, weighing 280 tonnes, sitting in storage awaiting disposal. They work by trapping the drone propellers, stopping them reaching their target.
“Drone attacks are a near daily occurrence. They have been responsible for many deaths and casualties as well as causing huge devastation across Ukraine. This will help counter some of these deadly attacks.”
Scotland spent almost a sixth – £1 billion – more on welfare than the funding provided by the UK government in 2024/25
Scotland has the highest proportion of children in long-term workless households in Great Britain with child poverty targets missed
Jobless couple with three children can receive combined benefits worth £45,500 a year in Glasgow, equivalent to a salary of £69,000
New plan ahead of Holyrood elections sets out reforms to save almost £1 billion a year and refocus support on work and mental health treatment
The case for reforming Scottish welfare
The Scottish Government has poured billions of pounds of taxpayer cash into the country’s welfare state “with abandon”, according to a new report.
The research, entitled Benefitting Scotland?, finds that nearly a decade after major welfare powers were devolved, Scotland is spending significantly more than the rest of the UK on a “smorgasbord” of conflicting benefits and entitlements.
There is “minimal” evidence that the system is succeeding even on its own terms, warns the Centre for Social Justice. Persistent child poverty is running at 23 per cent, more than double the Scottish government’s eight per cent target.
At the same time, Scotland has the highest proportion of children living in long-term workless households in Great Britain at 11.3 per cent, and its rate of economic inactivity has gone from below England’s before 2016 to persistently above it.
The £28 billion annual welfare budget – almost a quarter of which is administered by the Scottish government – has ballooned out of control.
Last year Scottish ministers spent above and beyond the “block grant adjustment” – a grant allocated by the UK government to match non-devolved benefit spending – by almost £1 billion.
The cross-party think tank argues that Scotland could save hundreds of millions of pounds while achieving better outcomes.
Restricting eligibility to disability benefits for those with less severe mental health conditions and frontloading the Scottish Child Payment would save at least £800 million for the Scottish government to re-invest in treating the root causes of mental illness and supporting families directly through Whole Family Wellbeing Funding.
The report also highlights the scale of work disincentives in the system.
A couple with three children living in Glasgow can receive almost £45,500 per year by combining benefits. To match that income from work alone would require a salary of roughly £69,000 before tax from a single earner.
Even when parents move into employment, they can lose up to 79p of every additional pound earned once benefit tapers, income tax, national insurance and pension contributions are combined.
They also risk losing access to the myriad supplements layered on by the Scottish government, including the Scottish Child Payment, several Best Start Grants, a Carer’s Allowance Supplement, new Winter Heating Payments, and a plethora of one-off grants.
Ben Gregg, Head of Welfare at the Centre for Social Justice, said: The Scottish government has missed its own child poverty targets, while pushing economic inactivity in Scotland from below to above England.
“The welfare system is over budget, overly complex, and failing on its own terms. With Holyrood elections this year, there is a real opportunity to create a much leaner, far more effective system, focused on changing lives and tackling the root causes of poverty.”
Community Councils! Its always great to hear what others are doing, right?
Join us next month for another free webinar. This time we are delighted to be joined by Lossiemouth Community Council (LCC) to hear about their activities like an award winning sand dune restoration project, a historic seafront mural and weekly soup & sweet social gatherings.
The webinar provides an excellent opportunity for community councils to not only hear about the work of LCC but to also talk about their own best practice, ideas and activities.
Local voices and leading Edinburgh ambassadors invite visitors to experience the city beyond the guidebook
Forever Edinburgh has launched Stay Like a Local, a new campaign designed to encourage visitors to experience the city through the eyes of the people who know it best.
Centred on a partnership with social enterprise Invisible Cities, the campaign showcases Edinburgh’s hidden gems, neighbourhood culture and the wide variety of stays available across the city beyond the expected.
At the heart of Stay Like a Local is a new Invisible Cities guided walking tour of the same name, created by local guides with lived experience of Edinburgh. Hear about the city from people who really know their history and the magic hidden behind the main streets and familiar tourist locations.
The tour highlights off-the-beaten-path locations, lesser-known stories and everyday places loved by locals, offering visitors a deeper and more meaningful connection with the city.
Guides share stories such as Whitefoord House on the Canongate, an 18th-century mansion that later became a print foundry before evolving into the city’s first residence for veterans, alongside hidden spaces like Dunbar’s Close Garden, a secluded pocket garden inspired by 17th-century design and Patrick Geddes’ vision for green spaces in the Old Town.
The itinerary will be available as a dedicated Stay Like a Local tour, delivered by the Invisible Cities guides, sharing their key secrets of the city with tourists.
Founded in Edinburgh, Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides in their own city. Through storytelling, guiding and meaningful employment, Invisible Cities creates opportunities for guides while offering visitors an honest and personal perspective on place.
As a social enterprise, Invisible Cities prioritises offering ethical and sustainable tours. The partnership aligns with Forever Edinburgh’s commitment to supporting responsible tourism and community-led experiences.
The campaign is further brought to life through recommendations from a collective of Edinburgh ambassadors spanning hospitality, culture, food and drink and visitor experiences. Each ambassador shares their personal take on the perfect Edinburgh break, demonstrating how the city can be enjoyed in many different ways, from literary escapes and culinary journeys to art-led adventures and maritime explorations.
Ambassadors include founders and team members of Golden Hare Books, The Balmoral, Jupiter Artland, Mercat Tours, The Royal Yacht Britannia and Maid of the Forth. Michelin Guide chef Roberta Hall-McCarron, founder of The Little Chartroom, Ardfern and Eleanore has also shared her recommendations, alongside players from Edinburgh Rugby’s men’s and women’s teams.
Together, their recommendations illustrate the diversity of holidays available in Edinburgh, whether visitors are seeking a luxury city break, a culture-rich long weekend, a food-focused escape or an experience-led stay shaped by local knowledge.
Zakia Moulaoui Guery, founder of Invisible Cities, said: “This partnership is about showing Edinburgh as it really is, through the places and stories that matter to the people who live here. Our guides bring a perspective you won’t find in a guidebook, shaped by lived experience and a deep connection to the city.
“Being part of the Stay Like a Local campaign allows us to champion more responsible tourism, create meaningful work and invite visitors to explore Edinburgh in a way that benefits local communities.”
Cllr Jane Meagher, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said: “Edinburgh is a city of neighbourhoods, stories and communities, and Stay Like a Local encourages visitors to experience this in a way that is both authentic and responsible.
“Working with Invisible Cities and their ambassadors helps visitors to discover parts of the city that they might otherwise miss – from independent bookshops and galleries to historic closes and local dining – ensuring that tourism benefits our residents and businesses, as well as our visitors.”
Stay Like a Local is part of Stay Different a three-year behaviour change campaign led by Forever Edinburgh and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Scottish Gas has officially unveiled their brand-new “Hot Seats” activation at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, giving lucky customers a truly unique way to experience the Guinness Six Nations.
The Hot Seats, which debuted during Saturday’s highly anticipated Calcutta Cup, offers lucky customers the chance to enjoy the biggest fixtures in Scottish rugby from the cosiest seats in the stadium.
With temperatures during last week’s monumental victory against England dropping to around 3 °C the Hot Seats were an instant success with fans.
They are designed to resemble the living room of Scottish Gas’ brand characters, The Things, with blue, fluffy chairs and themed visuals on the surrounding walls, creating a playful, cosy space that feels like stepping straight into the home of ‘The Things’. The Hot Seats experience includes complimentary tickets, food and drinks throughout the game, and Scottish Gas hot water bottles to help keep them warm during the match.
Located in both the North and South stands inside the stadium, the Hot Seats place fans right at the centre of the action, delivering a new and unmatched matchday experience while reinforcing Scottish Gas’ commitment to supporting fans on and off the pitch.
James Corcoran, Partnerships Director at Scottish Gas, said: “The Guinness Six Nations is one of the biggest sporting moments in Scotland, and we’re always looking at how we can create memorable experiences for fans at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
“The Hot Seats bring the comfort and warmth of home into the heart of the stadium, allowing our customers to enjoy the electric atmosphere of matchday while we take care of the things that matter most.”
Rex Hugill, Head of Partnership at Scottish Rugby, added: “The Guinness Men’s Six Nations is always a special occasion at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, and it’s fantastic to see partners like Scottish Gas enhancing the matchday experience in such a creative and fan-focused way.
“The Hot Seats add something unique to the stadium while staying true to what makes rugby here so special, the atmosphere, passion and community.”
Edinburgh’s Third Sector Reference Group is a place for sharing ideas and insights to help city leaders make better policy and investment decisions. The Group is looking for new members to shape decisions and help make positive change:
Edinburgh’s Third Sector Reference group is looking for new members to shape decisions, amplify community voices and create positive change.
The Third Sector Reference Group is a place for sharing ideas and insights from our sector to help city leaders make better policy and investment decisions.
The group aims to harness the power, knowledge and impact of our sector and to take that directly to the heart of decision-making to help influence policy, strategy and service design that affects communities across the city.
Share your experience and help shape better policy and services
Work collaboratively with peers, public sector partners and decision-makers
Influence decisions that impact communities and the third sector
Strengthen the collective voice of the third sector in the city’s decision-making
You will:
Act as an advocate for the third sector and the communities we serve
Contribute to meetings, workshops and consultations
Share insight, lived experience, challenge and constructively support advocacy and influencing activity that benefits the sector
Work collaboratively, in partnership and uphold high standards of integrity and accountability
Who We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from people who:
Are involved in the third sector and understand organisational sustainability
Bring lived or professional experience of working with communities
Are effective communicators and collaborative team players
Care deeply about equality, inclusion and social justice
Can commit time to attend meetings and contribute to written feedback on public policy, reports and design of future provision and support for the third sector
Time Commitment
Monthly Reference Group meetings, typically 60- 90 minutes.
Occasional events
Contribute to consultations/policies/reports
We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment.
How to Apply
Please submit a short expression of interest (no more than one side of A4) outlining:
Your background and connection to the third sector
What you feel you would bring to the Reference Group
To celebrate 100 years since the Castle was gifted to the nation by the Reids, this year’s programme has a strong 1920s theme.
The centenary programme was officially launched with a visit from Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, who joined colleagues and volunteers at the castle to mark the beginning of a year-long celebration.
Featuring an exciting and varied selection of events, the programme will include talks, creative workshops, film screenings, and family fun activities. Highlights include:
Immersive heritage experiences inspired by different periods of the castle’s past
Interactive outdoor activities and themed trails for families
Seasonal festivals celebrating culture, craft and community
Costumed interpretation and live performances
Creative workshops, talks and special tours
A highlight of the year will be the original murder mystery plays, composed and performed by Edinburgh Living History, where guests can use their sleuthing skills to uncover the culprit.
In August, the 1920s-inspired scavenger hunt, reflecting popular leisure activities of the era, will have guests following the clues to meet some characters from the past whilst enjoying the beauty of the grounds.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the return of much-loved Japan Sakura, offering another weekend of fun, with the opportunity to take part in traditional crafts and hands-on activities for all ages.
To mark the centenary, guests can also watch a series of film screenings of titles both made and set in the 1920s starting with ‘The General’ (1926).
Many events will be free to attend, with some ticketed experiences available through advance booking. Details of all events are listed on the Culture Edinburgh website.
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: “Lauriston Castle is one of Edinburgh’s most treasured sites, and the centenary is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both its past and its future.
“This programme brings together heritage, creativity and community in a way that reflects the spirit of Mr and Mrs Reid’s generous gift.
“We look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to discover everything that Lauriston has to offer in 2026.”
