Category: Uncategorized

As part of the National Museum of Scotland’s Summer Family Fun, family visitors to the Museum on 29 June and 3 July are invited to help celebrate the 30th birthday of the world’s most famous sheep.

Visitors will have the chance to write in Dolly the sheep’s big birthday card, and can enjoy a special Dolly-themed cupcake, on sale in the Museum’s cafes from 29 June – 16 July.  

Dolly was born on 5 July 1996 at the Roslin Institute just outside Edinburgh, the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell. 

Affectionately named after country music legend Dolly Parton, her inception changed what scientists thought was possible and opened new possibilities in medicine and biology. She spent her entire life in Roslin where she gave birth to six healthy lambs and died in 2003 aged six.  

On 16 July, the Museum will host an adult event exploring the history and legacy of Dolly. Dolly at 30: The Life and Legacy of a Cloned Sheepwill bring together an expert panel to explore the historical significance and ongoing cultural impact of Dolly.  

Director of Edinburgh Science Hassun El-Zafur will chair a panel conversation exploring the scientific innovation, historic significance and ongoing cultural impact of Dolly the sheep. Panelists include experts from the Roslin Institute, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Cambridge, and National Museums Scotland. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A.  

On the night there will also be the opportunity to see recent Dolly-related additions to the museum’s contemporary collections. 

Professor Andrew Kitchener, Principal Curator of Vertebrate Biology at National Museums Scotland said: Thirty years on, Dolly remains an icon of modern science whose story captures the public’s imagination. 

“Dolly has been on display at the National Museum of Scotland for over 20 years and remains one of our most popular exhibits. We look forward to welcoming visitors in July to help us celebrate this milestone birthday for Dolly.”

Dolly at 30: The Life and Legacy of a Cloned Sheep 
Thu 16th July  
 
18:30 – 20:00: Panel discussion in the Auditorium,  
20:00 – 20:30: Pop-up display of newly acquired objects related to Dolly the sheep. 

National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street  
This event is free, but booking is required.  
This event is for ages 16+. 

Tickets can be booked online at Dolly at 30: The Life and Legacy of a Cloned Sheep | National Museums Scotland  

This event is supported by the History of Science Society’s Elizabeth Paris Endowment.  

A campaign to highlight the criminality of buying alcohol for minors has been welcomed by the Scottish Government.

Scottish Minister for Community Safety Kirsten Oswald MSP praised the collaboration between Police Scotland, retailers and the alcohol sector to tackle the issue which leads to underage drinking and street disorder.

The “It’ll Cost You” is a campaign fronted by Police Scotland which will run in communities across Scotland during the summer months.

Ms Oswald said: “This campaign by the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership is a welcome addition to the efforts in confronting underage drinking.”

The clear message of the campaign is that buying alcohol for minors could land you with a fine, a jail sentence or both.

Police Scotland is working with retailers and alcohol companies to drive home the stark message that buying alcohol for children, proxy purchase, is a criminal offence.

Evaluations of the previous campaigns have shown a steady increase in awareness about the implications of supplying alcohol to minors, but it remains a serious issue with detections being made by police across Scotland during the course of last year’s campaign.

The “It’ll Cost You!” campaign is a collaboration between Police Scotland, the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership and Community Alcohol Partnerships.

This year’s campaign will run from Monday 29 June in communities across Scotland.

Kirsten Oswald MSP, Minister for Victims and Community Safety said: “Buying alcohol for anyone under 18 is a criminal offence and could result in a fine, imprisonment or both.

“It can put young people at risk of harm, increase their vulnerability and contribute to antisocial behaviour. This campaign highlights the value of partnership working to tackle underage drinking and help keep our young people safe.

“I welcome the continued efforts of Police Scotland, retailers and the alcohol industry to promote and reinforce this message.

“While awareness is growing, every detection shows that proxy purchasing remains an issue in communities across Scotland. I urge anyone considering it to think carefully about the consequences – for themselves and the young person involved.”

Chief Inspector Michelle Grant, Police Scotland, said: “This campaign showcases the benefits of key partners working together to inform the public of dangers associated with underage drinking, as well as the criminal consequences for supplying those under 18 with alcohol.”

Luke McGarty, Chair of the SAIP Campaigns Group and Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Scottish Grocers Federation, said: “Retailers are successfully stopping underage alcohol purchase through the Challenge 25 scheme.

“It is vital, therefore, that adults buying alcohol for them instead are fully aware that it is a criminal act. The “It’ll Cost You!” campaign fits perfectly with SGF’s position of promoting responsible community retailing.

“We look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the campaign again this year.”

Tam Cassidy, Community Alcohol Partnership, said: “The campaign gives us an opportunity to spread the “It’ll Cost You!” message in local communities, highlighting the dangers of buying alcohol for young people.

“We look forward to working with Police Scotland and the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers to make sure that this messaging is carried through all our engagement activity this summer.”

POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was seriously assaulted on a cycle path.

Around 10.20pm on Saturday, 20 June, 2026, we were called to a report of a man injured after being assaulted on the Innocent Railway Cycle Path, between the Bingham tunnel and Duddingston Road West area.

He suffered a serious leg injury and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Detective Constable Christopher Stewart of CID said: “We are looking to trace three men wearing dark clothing and balaclavas who were riding together on a white motorbike.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who was in area at the time or thinks they might know who the men are.

“We would also be eager to hear from anyone travelling in the area who have a dash-cam. Please check the footage, as it may have captured something which could prove vital to our ongoing enquiries.

“Any small piece of information could assist our enquiries, so please pass it on. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting 4051 of 20 June, 2026.”

Read more – https://orlo.uk/QGwPK

Don’t forget about our INSECT WEEK CELEBRATIONS TOMORROW
at Granton Castle Walled Garden.🦋

22-28 June is Insect Week. We are celebrating in the garden as part of our Citizen Science project in collaboration with the National Museums Scotland

The event will honour insect week with a focus on what insects can be seen locally.

Insect experts Ashleigh, Dorothy & Alyx will demonstrate how to identify common insects and how we can support them via recording and encouraging habitat creation.

Join us for a relaxed morning with refreshments and bring all your insect-related questions! No need to book, just show up. Everyone welcome.🪲
📷️ by Alyx

#grantoncastlewalledgarden

#insectweek

#citizenscience

#conservation

#celebration

#knowledge

Proposals focus on prevention, reducing reoffending and strengthening community justice

Proposed reforms to ease the high prison population, support rehabilitation, reduce reoffending and improve public safety have been published for public consultation.

Justice Secretary Neil Gray told Parliament that despite a range of measures taken to reduce numbers and maximise capacity, the prison population is at a critical level and is projected to rise further.

He said further action is necessary to ensure prisons can function safely and effectively, allowing prison staff and others to focus resources on prevention and rehabilitation, helping to reduce reoffending and keeping communities safe.

The plans, which are subject to an eight-week consultation, set out proposed changes to community justice and supervision of long term prisoners on release, with public safety remaining paramount. The Scottish Government will continue to engage with victims’ organisations throughout the process.

The proposals build on the recommendations of the independent Scottish Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission and include:

• extending the presumption against short sentences from 12 to 24 months
• amending the definition of a short-term prisoner from those serving less than four years to those serving less than five years, more closely aligning with sheriffs’ sentencing powers in solemn cases
• making Community Payback Orders more flexible and effective as a robust alternative to short custodial periods
• strengthening the bail test in courts to ensure that remand is used proportionately and is focused on protecting public safety
• amending release arrangements for some long-term prisoners so they serve a greater portion of their sentence under supervision and licence conditions in the community

As well as the measures outlined in the consultation, work is underway to rapidly develop plans to expand the prison estate, including through consideration of temporary modular accommodation and new houseblocks at existing prison sites.

There will also be continued expansion of the use of Home Detention Curfew and a pilot where GPS-tracking technology is used to monitor individuals on bail curfew as an alternative to being remanded in custody ahead of trial or sentencing, where it is safe to do so.  

The Justice Secretary highlighted evidence that community-based sentences and interventions are more effective at reducing reoffending than short custodial sentences – which can lead to the loss of employment, housing and family access that might otherwise provide stability for those at risk of re-offending.

Mr Gray said: “Protecting victims and the public is my top priority, and I am clear that prison will always be necessary.

“It is absolutely crucial, however, that our prisons function safely and effectively. If not, rehabilitation breaks down, reoffending rises and more people become victims. With the sustained population pressures we have seen over recent years, that is the reality we are facing, and that is why we must act.

“The planned reforms build on the recommendations of the independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission, which recognise that Scotland must rethink its approach to community sentencing and imprisonment.

“Alongside expansion of the prison estate, they will strike the right balance across custodial sentences, community sentencing and the need to robustly protect victims and the public – ensuring prisons house those who pose the greatest risk and rehabilitate them effectively, with the ultimate goal of reducing crime.

“We will consult on our proposals over the summer and engage with victims’ organisations throughout the consultation process and beyond.

“Clearly the best way to tackle the prison population is by stopping crime happening in the first place, which is why we will continue our preventative work to intervene early to steer people away from crime, with a focus on addiction, health, poverty, homelessness and employability, which are all significant contributing factors to offending and reoffending.”

Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population: Justice Secretary’s speech

Penal Reform: working towards a sustainable prison population

WEDNESDAY 1st JULY 9.30 – 12pm & 1 – 2pm

Come Along and Find Out More About PEP!

Looking for ways to connect with your community, improve your wellbeing, or get involved locally?

Join us at North Edinburgh Arts and discover the range of support and opportunities available through PEP.

North Edinburgh Arts

12C Macmillan Cres, Edinburgh EH4 4AB

Wednesday 1st July 2026

9:30am – 12:00pm

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Find out more about:

Wellbeing Groups (Monday to Saturday)

Volunteering Opportunities

Transport Services

Community Sharing Shelf

Whether you’re looking to meet new people, access local support, or give back to your community, we’d love to meet you.

A huge Thank you to North Edinburgh Arts for hosting us.

#PiltonEqualitiesProject

#PEP

#NorthEdinburgh

#CommunitySupport

#Wellbeing

#Volunteering

#CommunityConnections

#EdinburghEvents

#HelpingPeopleToParticipate

#InclusionForAll

The sun’s rays are strongest between 11am and 3pm. Try to limit the amount of time you’re outside or directly in the sun during this window.

Find out how to take care of yourself this summer:

http://ready.campaign.gov.scot/hot-weather

The Leith Legends (aged 60-95) who virtually walked the 3,070-mile distance from Edinburgh to Boston have returned to their starting point at Easter Road Stadium.

Since January the group have been recording their distance walked at locations around the city, attempting to virtually reach Boston before Scotland’s first game at the FIFA World Cup. The group walked their final mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Scottish Parliament Building on Thursday 11 June.

The Leith Legends have received hundreds of messages of support from people in Scotland and around the world after completing their ‘March to the Match’ the same day that thousands of football fans flew to Boston.

In recognition of their achievement, the group were invited to a reception at Easter Road Stadium, greeted by a bagpiper as they disembarked from their team bus. The celebration was made more special when the Leith Legends met Hibernian legend John “Yogi” Hughes, who presented them with certificates.

“What an effort by the Leith Legends!” said Yogi. “It’s truly a remarkable achievement to have virtually walked all the way to Boston, and I know people at home and over watching in the States will be incredibly proud of them.

I miss playing football, I miss it every day. But what I miss most about football is the friendship, the band of brothers, the sense of purpose, getting up in the morning, and being a leader. Having met a few of the Leith Legends today and in the last few months, I’ve seen all of these things. Well done on a fantastic achievement.”

John Hughes was recently announced as an ambassador for the Hibernian Community Foundation, the official charity of Hibernian FC, and in his role will support at events across Edinburgh and Scotland, championing the services, programmes, and achievements of HCF and its many partners.

Maureen Combe who leads the Sheltered Housing Team at Harbour Homes said: “The enthusiasm and team spirit that our tenants have brought to this challenge is what made it so special.

“They lived up to the name of ‘Leith Legends’ and brought a smile to hundreds if not thousands of people who followed the story of their final mile.”

In completing the challenge, the Leith Legends walked a combined distance of just over 3,070 miles in 140 days, at a pace of around 22 miles per day. This equates to a combined total of 17,048,303 steps taken by the group.