We’re delighted to let you know that we’re planning to open the new temporary Blackhall Library at Davidson Main’s Primary School on Monday (8th June).
The opening hours for the library, alongside a programme of planned events and activities, will be available on the Blackhall Library webpage soon.
Due to essential works the library will be closed for one day only on Thursday 25 June. Unfortunately it hasn’t been possible to schedule these works ahead of the library opening, but we’ve been working with contractors to minimise disruption and limit the closure to a single day.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you all into our new space very soon!
The 50th anniversary celebrations at The Centre, Livingston got off to a great start at The Centre, Livingston at the weekend (Saturday, 30th May), with a local boy from Bathgate winning a £500 Gift Card in a plinko game hosted by Go Radio’s Gina McKie and the unveiling of the ‘Livi the Unicorn’ mascot.
Excited shoppers queued to take part in the ‘50 Gift Cards Giveaway Competition’ of varying denominations, with Kasper Wong, who was visiting The Centre, Livingston with his dad and younger brother, hitting the jackpot and securing the one-off £500 prize.
The Centre, Livingston. 50 years anniversary.
Picture by Stuart Vance
The ‘Livi the Unicorn’ mascot was also unveiled and introduced to visitors for the first time and handed out free wildflower seeds. Shoppers were invited to join in the celebrations with complimentary popcorn and face painting, with donations optional for the shopping centre’s charity partner, Firefly Arts, who have been running drama classes and workshops for young people in the local community for over 30 years.
The Centre, Livingston also celebrated their golden anniversary on Friday, 29th May, with pupils from nine local primary schools, proudly watched on by teachers and parents, in a time capsule lowering ceremony, following a project with the schools to help mark the 50th milestone.
Contributions included poems and letters which represented their experiences of life today and their sense of community and hopes for the future.
A ‘Blether Bench’ was also launched next to Primark to encourage visitors to share their memories and reminisce about years gone by.
Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “What a fantastic buzz in the shopping centre over the past few days as we launched the start of our 50th anniversary celebrations.
“It was great to welcome pupils in from the local primary schools to help fill and lower our time capsule and invite all of our shoppers to help mark our major milestone with us on Saturday with the chance to win a gift card to treat themselves, which kickstarted a programme of exciting events which will take place throughout the year.”
The Centre, Livingston. 50 years anniversary.
Picture by Stuart Vance
Keep an eye on The Centre, Livingston website, www.thecentrelivingston.com and social channels for more information on upcoming celebratory events throughout the year.
National Ken Muir Award for Exceptional Achievement shines a spotlight on personal development achievements beyond exam results
Eleven Edinburgh pupils receive award out of 2,000 national programme participants
A group of S5 and S6 pupils from Edinburgh have received recognition for developing the skills Scotland’s employers value most – including teamwork, communication and problem-solving – at a national awards ceremony celebrating exceptional achievement this week.
Eleven pupils from Portobello High School, Liberton High School, St Augustine’s RC High School, Craigroyston Community High School and Drummond Community High School were selected as part of a Scotland-wide cohort in recognition of the remarkable personal growth, resilience and workplace-readiness they demonstrated whilst completing the Powering Futures Challenge Programme – a SCQF Level-6 qualification which sees pupils work in teams to tackle real-life challenges set by business and industry partners.
Through the programme, pupils develop practical workplace skills while strengthening links with locally-based mentors working in Scottish businesses.
Millie Williams, Sophie Morrison, Sira Johnston, Michelle Ogheneme and Charlotte Reid (pictured above) were among over 2,000 young people nationwide to take part in the Powering Futures Challenge Programme created to celebrate achievements that go beyond traditional academic attainment.
While over 2,000 pupils nationally undertook the Powering Futures Schools Challenge Qualification, the Edinburgh award winners impressed their teachers with their personal development throughout the programme – with winners recognised for growing in confidence, strengthening their teamwork and communication skills, and taking meaningful steps towards their future careers.
The Ken Muir Awards for Exceptional Achievement were launched in June 2025.
Professor Ken Muir of the University of the West of Scotland – after whom the awards are named – has played a key role in advising the Scottish Government on the future of Scottish education. As a key contributor to the 2023 report, It’s Our Future – Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment, Professor Muir has called for reforms to Scotland’s system of education, including preparing learners better for the world of work.
Professor Muir said:“We need a culture and mindset shift in Scotland’s education system. Of course, examination grades are important – but these Awards, and the ethos of the Powering Futures Schools Challenge Programme overall, is about reimagining what success looks like by valuing and recognising achievement in every sense of the word.
“Whether that is developing communication skills, learning to work in a team, or building confidence in presenting an idea, I am delighted to present these Awards to pupils who demonstrate the immense value of Powering Futures’ exciting and motivating learner-centered approach.”
Jennifer Tempany, Co-Founder of Powering Futures, said: “We are delighted to celebrate this year’s Ken Muir Award winners, recognising the immense personal growth and achievement they have demonstrated this academic year.
“By connecting these young people directly with Scottish business and industry through a hands-on approach, we are not only celebrating their success but actively opening up vital career pathways and empowering them to confidently shape a sustainable and prosperous future for Scotland.”
More than 30% of new parents are missing out on payments by not claiming in their baby’s first year.
Parents urged to claim via the HMRC app to ensure they get their payment as quickly as possible.
One in three new parents are missing out on Child Benefit payments in their baby’s first year, new figures reveal.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging parents who welcomed a baby this Spring to claim now via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK.
While more than 6.8 million parents received Child Benefit in the year to August 2025, only 68.8% of them claimed the crucial government support before their baby’s first birthday.
More than 140,000 babies were born between April and June last year and while many parents are enjoying new beginnings this Spring, the latest statistics show thousands of families could be missing out on much-needed cash by delaying their claim.
Child Benefit is worth £27.05 per week – or £1,406.60 a year – for the eldest or only child and £17.90 per week – or £930.80 a year – for each additional child, with no limit as to how many children parents can claim for.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Spring is a wonderful time to welcome a baby and claiming Child Benefit as soon as possible means your family can benefit from much-needed financial support.
“It is quick and easy to claim Child Benefit via the HMRC app at a time that suits you.”
Child Benefit can be claimed 48 hours after the baby’s birth is registered but can only be backdated for up to 3 months from the date HMRC receives the claim, meaning thousands of families are not getting what they’re entitled to receive.
Parents can access their Child Benefit account quickly and easily via the HMRC app.
In a recent survey, half of parents with children under the age of 18 said that they would like to be able to conduct all of their tax matters digitally.
To make a new claim for Child Benefit, parents can create an online HMRC account and will need:
child’s birth or adoption certificate
bank details
National Insurance number for themselves and their partner, if they have one
child’s original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document, for children born outside the UK.
HMRC has released a YouTube video explaining how parents can make a claim, with payments usually paid every 4 weeks automatically into a bank account.
If a claimant or their partner has an income of more than £60,000 a year, they will be liable to pay the High-Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC), with more information including about how to pay on the HICBC PAYE digital service on GOV.UK.
Viral internet sensation The Amazing Digital Circus is coming to the big screen this June at Vue Edinburgh.
Created by Gooseworx and produced by Glitch Productions, the popular animated series has become a global phenomenon since debuting online in 2023, captivating audiences with its surreal humour, emotional storytelling and unique visual style.
The global spectacle comes to its long-awaited conclusion in The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act, which arrives at Vue cinemas from Thursday 4 June.
The feature-length release combines episode eight with an all-new extended ninth episode finale, giving fans the chance to experience the conclusion of the story on the big screen before its wider release.
Set within a bizarre virtual circus controlled by the unpredictable AI ringmaster Caine, The Amazing Digital Circus follows a group of humans trapped inside a digital world with no way to escape. As the circus falls into darkness and long-hidden truths begin to surface, the group confront their past traumas and uncover the secrets behind The Digital Circus itself.
Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh, said: “We always endeavour to bring unique and innovative cinematic experiences to Vue audiences, and we know that fans of the series are excited to watch the finale on the big screen, with the best seat, screen and sound experience.
“A trip to Vue means switching off from everything else and switching on to something bigger – bigger emotions, deeper connections, moments that stay with you and you feel forever. The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act will certainly deliver that experience, for both long-time fans and newcomers alike.”
Elevating Vue’s big screen experience further, the menu includes delicious hot mains and sides including signature hot dogs, stone baked pizza slices, chicken tenders and popcorn chicken, as well as mouthwatering mini doughnuts and mini pancakes desserts.
Around 1.20am this morning (Sunday, 31 May, 2026), the body of a man was found in the Colinton Road area.
Formal identification has yet to take place however, the family of Christopher Rodger, 53 who had been reported missing from the area, has been informed.
The death is not believed to be suspicious, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Festival opens with a free Family Day tomorrow – Saturday 30 May – at the National Museum of Scotland
A spotlight on disabled-led works including new Festival commission Boys Don’t Dance by award-winning Marc Brew
15 productions from 9 different countries unite in a programme that spans circus, dance, music, puppetry and theatre.
Shows for all ages – from immersive experiences for babies in ISLAND (for 0-12 mths), to wonderfully absurd work for teenagers in It Would be Such a Shame if You Missed Out (10-16 yrs)
Festival dates: 30 May to 7 June
Spectra, Aberdeen, 2026
The 36th Edinburgh International Children’s Festival (24 May to 1 June) kicks off this weekend with a packed programme of circus, dance, storytelling and theatre for young people, their schools, and families.
Over the week, the Festival programme explores timely topics such as bullying, our fear of missing out, grief and the search for identity, weaving in humour and excitement to connect with children regardless of their circumstances, access needs or location.
Some of this year’s highlights include:
A poignant dance theatre show for 7-12 year olds, Boys Don’t Dance by Marc Brewreflects on the artist’s journey who defied society’s expectations to embrace his love for dance, first as a boy growing up in rural Australia, and then when he acquired a disability following a car crash in his early twenties.
It Would be Such a Shame if you Missed Out (for 10-16 yrs)hilariously captures our fears about missing out and features 3 hapless performers trying to rehearse a play next to a giant party box, while select audience members join in.
A powerful new play by Tim Crouch, Toto Kerblammo! (for 10-14 yrs)will be experienced wearing headphones through binaural audio technology.
Brrr (for ASN 10 yrs+), anew multi-sensory performance created specially for young audiences with complex needs and set in a unique inflatable dome.
The popular Family Day opens this year’s Festival on Saturday 30 May – a full day of free, pop-up performances and artist interventions at the National Museum of Scotland, which has been programmed in partnership with festivals across the country including Light the Blue festival in Aberdeen, Merchant City Festival in Glasgow and the Paisley Book Festival.
Highlights from the Family Day includes:
Dreich, Drookit and Braw by Julian Chan, Robyn Gray, Michelle Ross and Vee Smith (in partnership with Merchant City Festival) and featured in today’s photocall
Tufts! by Kerry Cleland, Ben Winger, Katy Wilson and Ella Mackay (in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts)
Windbags by Ronan McMahon (in partnership with OneRen)
Spectra, Aberdeen, 2026
Incoming new Festival Director Adjjima Na Patalungsaid: “I am very excited to be opening this year’s Festival as the new director with such a wonderful programme.Imaginate has built a Festival with real clarity of purpose, a deep commitment to children’s rights, grounded in artistic quality, inclusion, and international exchange.
“Many of the shows this year reflect the realities of children growing up today. Questions around mental health, bullying, displacement, belonging, identity, friendship, and resilience run through the programme in very different ways. That is what makes this programme feel so alive and relevant.
“I look forward to witnessing children’s reactions and hearing their voices and different perspectives.
“It is always our hope that for every child who experiences this Festival, something stays with them, big or small. A feeling. A question. A spark of imagination.”
Full programme and booking information: www.imaginate.org.uk/festival. Tickets can be booked online or by calling 0131 226 0019.
Art Matters: New Strategic Plan 2026-2030 to focus on children and young people
Free access to ticketed exhibitions for under 18s
Delivery of The Art Works building is a key priority
The National Galleries of Scotland has revealed it contributed £253million to Scotland’s economy through tourism, jobs and cultural activity in 2024/2025, according to a new independent report by BiGGAR Economics. The news comes as the organisation outlines its commitment to children and young people with the launch of its Strategic Plan 2026-2030: Art Matters. Read more about the strategy here.
The new strategy sets out the first steps in a long-term vision to transform access to Scotland’s national art collection on the path to 2050 and beyond. It’s driven by a clear ambition: to remove barriers to participation so that everyone in Scotland, regardless of age or background, can experience the benefits of art. From encouraging creativity to improving wellbeing, accessing and engaging with their national art collection is vital.
Throughout the duration of the strategy, the National Galleries of Scotland aims to increase the number of visitors aged 26 and under by 9%, recognising that early encounters with art can spark lifelong curiosity, creativity and wellbeing.
It will do this through:
Free entry to ticketed exhibitions for children and young people under 18, kicking off with Gwen John: Strange Beauties and Catherine Opie: To Be Seen. The rest of the galleries are already free to come and enjoy, ensuring cost is not a barrier to participation
A revised schools offer to connect more learners with the collection
Strengthening the families programme to support early engagement
The National Galleries of Scotland has three galleries in Edinburgh – the National, Modern and Portrait. In 2025/2026 they welcomed over 2.6million visitors, making them Scotland’s second most popular free attraction.
Discover treasures from Botticelli to Titian, the very best modern and contemporary art from Joan Eardley and Jasleen Kaur, famous faces and contemporary portraits of pop culture icons, and the largest collection of Scottish art in the world.
As an integral part of Edinburgh’s visitor proposition the National Galleries of Scotland are part of the foundations of Scotland’s tourism sector. Identified as a key motivator for almost two thirds of those visiting Edinburgh and almost half of those visiting Scotland, according to the report.
As well as conserving and researching the national collection, the National Galleries of Scotland is committed to reaching the widest possible audience through an active programme, including partnerships across Scotland, the UK and abroad, as well as online.
Key to the delivery of the Strategic Plan is The Art Works, a major project to build a new free-to-visit home in north Edinburgh for over 130,000 artworks, complementing those on display in the National, Portrait and Modern galleries or out on loan.
It’s a critical strategic enabler that will transform how Scotland’s art collection is experienced, shared and enjoyed, and support the National Galleries of Scotland to care for, preserve and share the nation’s art.
It will also make it easier for art to be loaned to local galleries across Scotland, the wider United Kingdom and internationally.
The National Galleries of Scotland’s ambition is that every child in Scotland will have the opportunity to interact with their nation’s art, by visiting The Art Works, seeing it online, in education or through loans in their local community. The Scottish Government has committed £56million over three years to help the National Galleries of Scotland to create The Art Works.
To deliver this incredible new building the National Galleries of Scotland will need to reprioritise some other areas of work. Its summer exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy building will move to a biennial schedule, following this summer’s Catherine Opie: To Be Seen the next exhibition planned to take place in 2028. This shift will enable the National Galleries of Scotland colleagues to prioritise The Art Works and to focus on bringing it to life.
Following opening of The Art Works the National Galleries of Scotland will look to its next capital project to renovate the Mound Level galleries at the National.
Art Matters also reaffirms the National Galleries of Scotland’s ongoing commitment to anti-oppression and anti-ableism, ensuring that its spaces, programmes and workforce continue to be inclusive and representative. This work will be embedded across all areas of activity, from how art is displayed and interpreted, to how audiences and communities are engaged.
The strategy is underpinned by growing evidence of the powerful role art plays in supporting health and wellbeing. 84% of visitors to the National Galleries of Scotland report that their visit has a positive impact on their wellbeing.
This aligns with emerging global research, including a recent study from University College London showing that regular engagement with arts and culture can have measurable biological benefits. In 2024/25, the health and wellbeing benefits generated by the National Galleries of Scotland were valued at £31.8million, the report states.
Anne Lyden, Director-General at the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “Art matters because it has the power to change lives. Our new strategy sets out how we will increase access to Scotland’s national art collection over the next four years so that more people, and particularly children and young people, can enjoy the benefits art brings.
“These are our first steps towards 2050. By focusing on children and young people, removing barriers and investing in the future, we can ensure that art continues to enrich lives across Scotland. The impact of art goes far beyond the gallery walls, it supports mental and physical health, fosters connection and contributes to public wellbeing. Art matters for us to have a healthy and thriving society.
“Our priority is the creation and opening of The Art Works building. This vital investment will enable everything that follows.
It is the foundation for how we will care for the collection, expand access and share Scotland’s art for generations to come.”
Art Matters represents a significant milestone in a longer journey for the National Galleries of Scotland.
It lays the groundwork for a future where every child and young person in Scotland can build a meaningful relationship with their national art collection. By investing in access, participation and infrastructure now, the National Galleries of Scotland is positioning itself to deliver lasting cultural, social and wellbeing impact for decades to come.
A Senior carer at Strachan House care home in Edinburgh has received a prestigious 20 Year Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for 20 years.
Lyra Quintanilla now a senior carer started at Barchester in May 2006 and has worked with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years.
Adele Keenan, Employee Services Director at Barchester said: “I’m always pleased to hear stories about the long service of Barchester staff and am delighted Lyra has achieved this milestone.
“It is dedication like this that ensures our residents are provided with a happy place to live.”
Fran Fisher General Manager of Strachan House said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating Lyra’s years of loyal service with Strachan House.
“She has demonstrated her dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year. I speak for all of us here at Strachan House when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with Lyra!”
Strachan House 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. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
