POLICE are appealing for information following a collision involving a pedestrian and an HGV in South Edinburgh.
Around 6.15pm last night (Sunday, 2 March, 2025), the 55-year-old man was struck by the Volvo lorry on the A701, Craigmillar Park, near the junction with Lygon Road.
He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where medical staff describe his condition as critical.
The HGV did not stop at the scene but was later traced, as was the 37-year-old male driver.
The A701 was closed while crash investigations were carried out and reopened around 10.15pm.
Enquires are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
Edinburgh Road Policing Constable Mhairi Deuchar said: “I’m appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has any information about what happened, to contact us.
“I’d also ask drivers with dashcams who were in the area at the time to please review your footage and bring anything you think may be significant to our attention.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 2676 of 2 March.
In this breakthrough exhibition, Edinburgh’s Dovecot Studios, in partnership with the Fleming Collection, will for the first time place the Scottish Colourists in the context of their European and UK contemporaries, interrogating how this international generation of radical painters forged a new language of colour in Paris in the early 20th Century.
The Scottish Colourists – SJ Peploe (1871-1935), JD Fergusson (1874-1961), GL Hunter (1877- 1931) and FCB Cadell (1883-1937) – are widely recognised as Scotland’s most talented, experimental and distinctive artists of the early 20th Century.
Often exhibited as a quartet, in isolation from their contemporaries, their work will now be shown alongside Fauve painters, such as Matisse and Derain, who sparked the colour revolution, spotlighted in the exhibition by Derain’s renowned Fauvist work, Pool of London, lent by Tate.
Other major institutional loans include key works by Bloomsbury Group innovators Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, as well as major examples from Walter Sickert’s more nuanced Camden Town Group.
The exhibition will also investigate a possible ‘Celtic’ connection in the primal response to colour by Welsh artists, Augustus John and James Dickson Innes, and Ireland’s Roderick O’Conor, suggesting a continuity between the approach taken by these artists and that of the Scots.
This exciting exhibition will offer an unparalleled opportunity to challenge conventions around who, among the avant-garde pack of UK artists inspired by French innovation, should be considered the leading radical painters from 1905 to the outbreak of war in 1914.
The exhibition’s timeline will also cover the impact of Cubism and Vorticism on this group of artists immediately before and after the outbreak of war.
The culmination of the show will celebrate the coming together of the Scottish Colourists as a distinct group in the 1920s and 1930s, marked out by the continuing influence of both French colour and Scottish light upon their work as painters of landscape, still life, and interiors.
Appropriately, their dedicated group show was held in Paris in 1924, followed by a 1925 London show, making Dovecot’s 2025 exhibition a most timely centenary celebration.
James Knox, Curator of the Fleming Collection, says: “This momentous exhibition will, for the very first time, shine the spotlight on the radical Scots and their contemporaries, allowing us to truly assess their achievements and place in the history of early European modernism.
“I am immensely grateful to the national institutions and private collectors who have enabled this story to be told alongside the Fleming Collection’s outstanding Scottish Colourists.”
Celia Joicey, Director of Dovecot Studios says: “Presenting the Scottish Colourists at the vanguard of the creative avant-garde in the UK is an opportunity to recast Scotland’s pivotal role in the history of early 20th century art.
“As a tapestry studio founded in 1912, it is exciting for Dovecot to show these important paintings which set our work and world-class reputation in a compelling new context.”
The exhibition will be supported from March 2025 by a series of displays on the Dovecot Balcony Gallery of contemporary Scottish artists working with colour in creative and challenging ways in media including watercolour, acrylic, oil, wood and textile.
Lothian was named ‘Large Business of the Year’ at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards on Thursday.
The award, which was open to all Edinburgh businesses that employ over 100 people, celebrates the strong performance of Lothian in the city over the last 12 months.
Sarah Boyd, Managing Director at Lothian said: “I am absolutely delighted that Lothian has been recognised as the Large Business of the Year at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
“To be recognised in this way by the Edinburgh business community is testament to the hard work and devotion of our 2,600+ strong workforce who deliver for our customers every day across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
“From our colleagues on the frontline to those who work behind the scenes, Lothian is built on its people. This award is for them, and I would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to each and every one of them for their continued loyalty and dedication to Lothian.”
Throughout 2024, Lothian delivered reliable and accessible public transport across Edinburgh and the Lothians for 116 million customers, representing an increase of 5% on 2023. The company also scooped the award for UK Bus Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards in London last October.
The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce judging panel commented: “The winner has shown an outstanding commitment to both its people and business growth, playing a vital role in the communities it serves.
“Their dedication to employee engagement has been nationally acknowledged, reflecting a strong and positive workplace culture.
“Innovation has also been at the heart of their success, with continuous improvements in digital services and a strong focus on sustainability. Their investment in maintaining an award winning, world-class, future-focused offering truly sets them apart.”
In addition, the business trained over 450 drivers at their dedicated training school with a pass rate of 94.6%, compared to the industry average of 61.5%. At the UK Bus Driver of the Year Finals in Blackpool, Lothian was a delighted that one of its drivers, Thomas Gilhooley, won first place.
The Prime Minister will intensify his efforts in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine by convening international leaders at a summit in London today
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will intensify his efforts in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine by convening international leaders at a summit in London today.
The Prime Minister has this weekend reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine and is determined to find a way forward that brings an end to Russia’s illegal war and guarantees Ukraine a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security.
The summit rounds off a week of intense diplomacy for the Prime Minister, which has seen him raise UK defence spending and travel to Washington D.C. for productive talks with President Trump in support of UK and European security. The Prime Minister spoke again with both President Trump and President Zelenskyy on Friday evening following the events of yesterday at the Presidents’ meeting in Washington D.C.
The Prime Minister will welcome Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Downing Street this morning, before being joined at the summit in central London by the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Romania. The Turkish Foreign Minister, NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the European Commission and European Council will also attend.
The Prime Minister has been clear that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine, a determination he reiterated when he warmly welcomed President Zelenskyy to Downing Street on Saturday evening ahead of the summit.
Discussions at the summit will focus on:
Strengthening Ukraine’s position now – including ongoing military support and increased economic pressure on Russia.
The need for a strong lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine and ensures that Ukraine is able to deter and defend against future Russian attack.
Next steps on planning for strong security guarantees.
Following the announcement earlier this week that the UK will spend 2.5% of its GDP on defence by 2027, the Prime Minister will be clear on the need for Europe to play its part on defence and step up for the good of collective security.
The UK has already been clear it is willing to support Ukraine’s future security with troops on the ground.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Three years on from Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, we are at a turning point.
“Today I will reaffirm my unwavering support for Ukraine and double down on my commitment to provide capacity, training and aid to Ukraine, putting it in the strongest possible position.
“In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees, alongside continued discussions with the United States.
“We have an opportunity to come together to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that secures their sovereignty and security.
“Now is the time for us to unite in order to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future.”
UK reinforces support for Ukraine with £2.26 billion loan
The £2.26 billion loan will bolster Ukrainian military capability, and will be paid back using profits generated on sanctioned Russian sovereign assets.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko signed the formal loan agreement yesterday (Saturday 1 March), with the first tranche of funding expected to reach Ukraine later next week.
The loan demonstrates the UK’s commitment to Ukrainian defence. A strong Ukraine is vital to UK national security – the first duty of any government and central to the Plan for Change.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko have signed the UK-Ukraine Bilateral agreement.
This agreement will deliver £2.26 billion in funding to Ukraine, which will be paid back using the extraordinary profits generated on sanctioned Russian sovereign assets held in the EU.
This is the UK’s contribution to the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans to Ukraine scheme, through which G7 countries will collectively provide $50 billion to support Ukraine.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:“A safe and secure Ukraine is a safe and secure United Kingdom. This funding will bolster Ukraine’s armed forces and will put Ukraine in the strongest possible position at a critical juncture in the war.
“It comes as we have increased our defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, which will deliver the stability required to keep us safe and underpin economic growth.”
The loan will be fully earmarked for military procurement to bolster Ukraine’s defences, with the first tranche of funding expected to be disbursed to Ukraine next week.
Russia’s obligation under international law to pay for the damage it has caused to Ukraine is clear and this G7 agreement, backed by the profits generated on sanctioned Russian sovereign assets, is an important step to ensuring this happens.
The funding will be delivered in three equal annual payments of £752m.
The announcement of the loan agreement is on top of the £3 billion a year commitment by the UK to provide military aid for Ukraine. The Prime Minister has been clear that a strong Ukraine is vital to UK national security.
This loan follows the announcement by the Prime Minister committing the Government to increase UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament as economic and fiscal conditions allow.
This represents the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, safeguarding our collective security and funding the capabilities, technology and industrial capacity needed to keep the UK and our allies safe for generations to come.
As set out in the Plan for Change, national security is the first duty of the government, and investment in defence will protect UK citizens from threats at home while also creating a secure and stable environment for economic growth.
Cyclists are being urged to saddle up and support Poppyscotland’s upcoming Sportive, as the charity celebrates 10 years of the popular event.
Not only is this the tenth anniversary, but the Wee Yin route will also become a permanent feature after a successful trial of the scenic course in 2024.
The Sportive is Poppyscotland’s flagship fundraising cycling event, featuring four routes designed for different ability levels. It is split into two distinct types – the Classic (46, 68 and 102 miles) and the Wee Yin (22 miles).
As in previous years, riders will line up at the starting point in Prestonpans, East Lothian, then head along the historic coastal route to North Berwick where Classic route participants will face a timed hill climb before reaching the first feed station at East Linton.
From there, the short route continues to Gifford while medium and long routes head towards Garvel before splitting at Whiteadder Reservoir, with the longer challenge heading to Duns and medium returning to Gifford. All routes finish in Musselburgh.
The Wee Yin route will take cyclists inland to Gullane before heading back towards Aberlady and then on to the coastal path.
Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning, Gordon Michie, is encouraging both individuals and families to take part in this year’s Sportive, and said: “2025 marks the 10th anniversary of this event, and we have been working so hard to create something really special for all of our riders.
“With the Wee Yin route proving so popular last year we are delighted to be able to bring it back on a permanent basis, opening up the Sportive to even more participants who may want to take part. The Wee Yin is perfect for those leisure cyclists and families too.
“Please sign up today and be a part in one of the best cycle rides in Scotland with amazing scenery, all while supporting our Armed Forces veterans and their families.”
Avid cyclist Ally Mallinson took part in last year’s trial run of the Wee Yin route and encouraged his daughter, Amy, to partake in it also. Ally highly recommends it to others. He said: “It’s a great idea and it would be good to see more families out doing it as that’s what it’s all about.
“The Wee Yin route is a good way of staying fit, healthy and raising money for a great cause and it’s a good family activity. Cycling on roads is safer than many people think and if you follow the highway code, cycle properly, you should not have an issue.
“I’ll be back this year with Amy and my son!”
Gordon added: “We’re really excited to celebrate the 10th edition of the Sportive and our goal is to raise as much as possible to support the Armed Forces community at times of need, including help with housing, debt, mental health, and mobility.
“If you’d like to help us make an even bigger impact, please consider adding a £10 donation per rider. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference!”
Entry for our Classic routes is £40 per rider (minimum age: 16). The Wee Yin route is £25 per rider or £40 per family (2 adults & 2 children). Minimum age is 12 and entry is free for riders under 16.
Entry Includes: Electronic timing; mechanical support; food and water stations; coffee at the start; Tea & Toast at the finish; ‘King and Queen of The Heugh’ timed hill climb; sweeper service and a finishers gift.
To sign up today, please visit poppyscotland.org.uk/sportive
Chief Constable Jo Farrell today met with the family of Sheku Bayoh to underline Police Scotland’s support for his relatives and the wider Public Inquiry into his death.
The Chief Constable pledged that Police Scotland remained fully committed to assisting the Chair to discharge the Inquiry’s terms of reference and that the Service would address any recommendations made.
The private meeting in Glasgow was also a chance for the Chief Constable to build on Police Scotland’s relationship with the Bayoh family and highlight the anti-racism work being carried out to improve policing in Scotland.
Chief Constable Farrell said: “I very much welcomed the opportunity to meet with the family of Sheku Bayoh and listen to their concerns.
“I took the opportunity to express my personal condolences and reiterated those of the service. I am very aware of the significant impact his death had on his family, friends, the wider community of Kirkcaldy and beyond, and serving and retired officers.
“This meeting also allowed me to underline Police Scotland’s commitment to participate in every aspect of the Public Inquiry and to positively assist the Chair in discharging the terms of reference.
“Meeting directly with the family also allowed me the opportunity to highlight the extensive work ongoing under the Policing Together programme to drive a culture change towards becoming an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory service which better reflects and represents the communities we serve.”
“I repeated the assurances that both myself and the senior leadership of Police Scotland are absolutely committed to driving this work forward with a very clear determination to address any recommendations made by the Inquiry.”
People in Scotland are being asked to choose which three quotes, from some of the nation’s most well-known poets, should feature on the Scottish Parliament’s Canongate Wall, to commemorate the building’s 20th year.
Liz Lochhead, Jackie Kay and Kathleen Jamie, who have all held the role of Scots Makar or National Poet of Scotland, have two quotes from their work for people to choose between. Each Makar’s quote which receives the most public votes will then be featured on a new letter-cut stone on the Wall.
Designed by artist Soraya Smithson with architects EMBT, the Canongate Wall, which is on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, was partly conceived of as a tribute to the design ideas of Enric Miralles. Soraya’s designs also incorporated the idea to feature quotations from Scottish writers and thinkers as well as popular proverbs and poems, letter-cut into stones sourced from across Scotland. These new additions will take the total number of quotations from 26 to 29 and there is currently only one woman writer represented – Mary Brooksbank.
Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said:“The Canongate Wall is a piece of living public sculpture which celebrates different parts of Scotland – our people, our land and our rich cultural heritage.
“It is both a celebration and reminder of the powerful words of some of Scotland’s most talented writers, thinkers and poets.
“It’s an honour to have the words of these three incredible women writers carved onto our building as a permanent reminder of their contribution to public life in Scotland.
“As always, when it comes to the Scottish Parliament, I strongly encourage people to vote!”
People can make their selection on our website and via our social media channels using www.parliament.scot/canongate.
The winning options will then be sent to Perthshire-based stone carver Gillian Forbes, who will carry out the letter-cutting process assisted by Cameron Wallace. The new quotations will be unveiled later in the year.
Liz Lochhead, Makar from 2011 to 2016, said:“I can’t believe it, my words are going to be, not graffiti on a wall, but in stone on the wall of the Parliament.
“It is something that has meant a great deal to me in my lifetime, that we have a Parliament in Scotland.
“Speaking poetry out loud is very important to me and if someone stands outside the wall of the Parliament and mouths these words out loud to themselves, that’s a great thing to feel that I’ve been the innocent originator of these things.”
Jackie Kay, Makar from 2016 to 2021, said:“It’s a huge honour and so extraordinary to be carved into stone.
“It’s so strange to think of your words surviving you – but in a sense, that’s every writer’s dream.”
Kathleen Jamie, Makar from 2021 to 2024, said:“The fact that words of mine will be joining those that are already there and adding to this wreathing of poetry around the Parliament building, that wall of truth, that wall of integrity that surrounds us here.
“That words of mine, whichever are chosen, will be inscribed there also. That’s okay, I can go out with that!”
The quotations that will form part of the public vote are as follows:
Liz Lochhead
Option 1
this our one small country… our one, wondrous, spinning, dear green place. What shall we build of it, together in this our one small time and space? – from Grace, A Handsel, New & Collected Poems, 2012
Option 2
Love surprises us. It’s like when sunlight flings A sudden shaft that lights up glamourous the rain Across a Glasgow street – from Epithalamium, A Handsel, New & Collected Poems
Jackie Kay
Option 1
The dead don’t go till you do, loved ones. The dead are still here, holding our hands. – from Darling, the title poem in Darling: New & Selected Poems, 2007
Option 2
Where do you come from? ‘Here,’ I said, ‘Here. These parts.’ – from In my country, Darling: New & Selected Poems, 2007
Kathleen Jamie
Option 1
Be brave: by the weird-song in the dark you’ll find your way. – from The Storm, The Bonniest Companie, 2015
Option 2
And the wild ways we think we walk Just bring us here again. – from The Tradition, The Bonniest Companie, 2015
A brief history of the Canongate Wall
The Canongate Wall was designed by artist Soraya Smithson, working with architects EMBT. The wall contains a range of Scottish stones, letter-cut by Gillian Forbes and Martin Reilly, with a variety of quotations. The design pays tribute to the creative ideas and imagination of the Scottish Parliament’s lead architect, Enric Miralles.
At the lower end of the wall is a townscape based around sketches by Miralles of Edinburgh’s Old Town, as viewed from the Balmoral Hotel.
The 26 quotations, of relevance to Scotland and the Parliament, range from well-loved pieces of poetry to proverbs and psalms. There are quotations in English, Gaelic and Scots and many of Scotland’s leading writers are represented.
The original 24 quotations were chosen from a selection of material made available to an Art Steering Group, including previous MSPs – Jamie Stone, Kenneth Macintosh and Michael Russell. The material considered included submissions from members of the public.
To mark the tenth anniversary of the Scottish Parliament and ten years of devolution, the SPCB agreed that two new quotations should be added to the Canongate Wall.
Public suggestions were invited via the Parliament website and via postcards distributed to book festivals and libraries across Scotland, and almost 300 suggestions were received.
A panel of MSPs and external experts met to consider these suggestions.
The panel selected two new quotations, one by Mary Brooksbank, the first woman to be represented on the Wall, and Norman MacCaig, bringing the total number of quotations to 26.
We need home-made savoury/sweet bakes & soup for our BHSA fundraising community Chess Cafe next Saturday 1 March
Our popular café provides refreshments for the young competitors taking part the Lothian Junior Chess Championships & their families. We only had one donation last time which sold out in minutes! Homebakes really boost our profits
NB: NO NUTS please – this includes nut oils, nut flours, nut butters & nut milks. Soup must be vegan. Anything suitable for those with allergens or on special diets is very welcome.
Donations can be dropped off in the Hub from 8:30am on Saturday morning.
All money raised by the event goes back into school via our charity funds.
BHSA have recently funded:
A pop up sensory den for the Wellbeing Hub
Young Carer’s Wellbeing Gardening Project
refreshments & decorations for the S6 Winter Ball
site licence renewals for Modern Languages digital resources
& 10 chess sets & boards for House Chess
BHSA is YOUR school charity Every pupil at Broughton High benefits from our funding during their time at school, making us a worthy cause to support & get involved with!
Major award for team offering transformative model for care closer to home
A DIGITAL team improving the health and wellbeing of adults across Scotland has been recognised at a major awards ceremony for technology in health and care.
Blackwood Homes and Care has won the Technology Enabled Independent Living category at the prestigious Holyrood Digital Health and Care Awards.
Its 24/7 digital responder service, which supports more than 200 adults – many with disabilities and mental health challenges – allows users to manage their care remotely. This reduces the need for scheduled in-person visits by providing flexible, on-demand support at the touch of a button.
Underpinning the service is Blackwood’s CleverCogs digital system, a tablet device that ensures customers receive timely assistance, whether for medication reminders, NHS virtual GP access, wellbeing check-ins, or emergency support. The CleverCogs system provides a central hub for care management, communication, health monitoring, and home automation, enhancing accessibility and digital inclusion.
Jason MacGilp, Chief Executive Officer at Blackwood Homes and Care, said:“From the ongoing design right through to support our 24/7 digital responder service is a huge team effort.
“This award is a testament to that and our shared desire to improve the lives of people throughout the country.”
Since launching as a pilot in 2016, the 24/7 responder service has grown significantly providing 3,500 hours of digital care across six supported living services to more than 350 customers each week. The innovation ensures an emergency response within 20 minutes, delivered by locally based SSSC registered staff.
Diane Allan, Head of Care at Blackwood Homes and Care added: “It’s wonderful to receive this award and highlight the fantastic work of our 24/7 responder team.
“Most importantly for us is that we see the impact the team has on our customer base on a daily basis. I look forward to working with the team to grow and evolve the service, helping individuals across Scotland to live their lives to the full.”
The service’s impact has been life-changing for customers. Individuals who previously relied heavily on emergency services now have instant access to dedicated support, reducing unnecessary interventions and improving their overall wellbeing.
One Blackwood staff member highlighted the transformative impact by saying: “Technology-enabled care is not about gadgets—it’s about improving lives. Our customers feel more secure, more independent, and more connected, knowing support is available at any time.”
The organisation’s approach aligns with Scotland’s Digital Health and Care Strategy, demonstrating how technology can revolutionise care provision and support individuals to live independently in their own homes.
With its award-winning digital care model, Blackwood is setting the benchmark for technology-enabled independent living in Scotland’s housing and care sectors.
For more information about Blackwood Homes and Care, visit:
NO NUTS please – this includes nut oils, nut flours, nut butters & nut milks. Soup must be vegan. Anything suitable for those with allergens or on special diets is very welcome.
Every pupil at Broughton High benefits from our funding during their time at school, making us a worthy cause to support & get involved with! 
