Corstorphine Road: Draining the Rain

ROAD REDUCED TO SINGLE LANE FOR SEVEN MONTHS

Drop-in public information event at the Murrayfield Hotel, 18 Corstorphine Road on Thursday 8 May between 4pm and 7pm

SCOTTISH Water will be starting a major project as part of our #drainingtherain Improving Urban Waters programme on Corstorphine Road #Edinburgh next month.

Come along to an information event on 8 May to find out more.

Details below:

Project Overview

We are installing new screens and spill chambers to a storm overflow under Corstorphine Road to help prevent sewer related debris from entering the Water of Leith.

Work is due to get underway at the beginning of June 2025 for approximately seven months.

During delivery, Corstorphine Road will be reduced to one lane under temporary traffic lights between Ormidale Terrace and Murrayfield Gardens.

Community Engagement

We are holding a drop-in public information event at the Murrayfield Hotel, 18 Corstorphine Road on Thursday 8 May 2025 between 4pm and 7pm.

Members of the project team will be available to explain more about the work involved and take on board any concerns or questions from the community.

What We Are Doing

New screens and spill chambers are being installed to our storm overflow underneath Corstorphine Road at Ormidale Terrace.

The existing spill pipe and outfall will be retained.

When excess rainwater is discharged, the new screens will ensure any sewer related debris does not end up in the Water of Leith.

Why We Are Doing It

Working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Scottish Water has identified priority storm overflows for improvement or replacement for water quality or aesthetic – sewer related debris – reasons.

Under the banner ‘Draining the Rain, Enhancing the Environment’ the investment will help prevent sewage related debris such as wet wipes from entering the environment during periods of rainfall.

www.scottishwater.co.uk/corstorphineroad

The First Soldier To Liberate Nazi-Occupied Britain: Sergeant-Major Robert Shaw’s historic 1945 landing on Guernsey remembered 80 years later

First British soldier to set foot on Nazi-occupied soil in the British Isles forged unexpected friendships that have endured for generations.

As Britain prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day next month, the remarkable story of Sergeant-Major Robert Shaw – the first British serviceman to step onto Nazi-occupied British soil during liberation – is being commemorated by his family in Guernsey this May.

On May 9th, 1945, as the rest of Britain celebrated victory in Europe, Sergeant-Major Shaw from Glasgow and of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) made history when he became the first British soldier to land on Guernsey after nearly five years of German occupation. The Channel Islands hold the distinction of being the only British territory occupied by German forces during World War II.

“My father rode off the landing craft on his motorcycle at L’Ancresse Bay, leading the way for the armoured vehicles that followed,” recalls his son Robert Shaw, who will be attending the 80th anniversary celebrations alongside family members as part of the official cavalcade. “He didn’t encounter any resistance – just jubilant islanders overwhelmed with emotion at finally being free.”

Shaw’s first interaction on liberated soil would lead to an extraordinary decades-long connection. As he rode inland, he encountered a young local boy named John Rault cycling on the right side of the road – a practice adopted during the German occupation.

“My father was concerned the boy would be hit by the convoy of vehicles behind him,” explains Robert. “He stopped and told the boy to ‘cycle on the British side of the road’ – a small moment that symbolised the return to British rule after years of occupation.”

What makes this story remarkable is what happened 47 years later. In 1992, when Sergeant-Major Shaw returned to Guernsey to receive commemorative Liberation medallions alongside other veterans, the local newspaper printed his recollection of this encounter. The story caught the attention of John Rault – now an adult – who immediately recognised himself as the boy in the account.

Rault tracked down Shaw at his hotel, leading to an emotional reunion. The soldier and the boy then rekindled their connection from that historic day and maintained correspondence until Shaw’s death 20 years ago in 2005 at age 89.

“This wasn’t just about military strategy – it was about human connection during a pivotal moment in history,” says Robert Shaw. “My father always said that liberating Guernsey was the proudest moment of his service because he could see the direct impact on people’s lives after years of hardship.”

Born in Springburn, Glasgow in 1915, Sergeant-Major Shaw’s mechanical expertise proved valuable during the post-liberation period. Based at a local establishment known as Ash’s Garage, he worked alongside German troops who remained on the island temporarily after surrender.

He was particularly fascinated by how island vehicles had been converted to charcoal-burning units to overcome the severe petrol shortage during occupation.

“He often spoke about his admiration for the islanders’ ingenuity and resilience,” Robert recalls. “Despite everything they’d endured – food shortages, curfews, and isolation from the mainland – they maintained their spirit and identity.”

The Shaw family continues to honour this legacy by participating in ongoing Guernsey’s liberation celebrations, with this year’s 80th VE Day anniversary holding special significance.

They plan to follow the same route Robert Shaw took in 1945, participating in the official cavalcade that commemorates the path of liberation forces.

Police concern over missing woman

HAVE YOU SEEN MICHAELA?

POLICE are appealing to the public to help trace Michaela Sharp, 32, who is reported missing from Leith. Michaela was last seen on Saturday 26/04/25 in The Shore area.

She is described as a white female, 5’3 (160 cm) in height, pale complexion, long brown hair, green eyes and of medium build.

Inspector McCulloch said: “We are growing increasingly concerned for Michaela’s welfare and our enquiries are ongoing to trace her.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen or has any information on her whereabouts to please contact police as soon as possible.”

If you can assist, please contact police on 101 quoting reference 3085 of 02/05/25.

‘Take the test, it could save your life’

Patient’s appeal after cancer terror

  • ‘Take the test – it could save your life’: grateful patient urges others to use bowel screening kit

A patient who feels his life was saved by a simple bowel screening test is encouraging everyone to take the test when it drops through their door.

Colin Mearns, a 54-year-old photographer from Glasgow, made national news last month when he told his story, and explained how sending away his sample led to the early discovery of cancer.

Colin was one of thousands of people who are sent a bowel screening test every day. Everyone aged 50 to 74 years receives a kit every two years, and it only takes a couple of minutes to use the test and send it back for screening.

And for Colin, those couple of minutes meant his cancer was spotted early and, following an operation at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital to remove the affected part of his bowel, he is now cancer free.

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Scotland. Around 4,000 people get it every year according to Public Health Scotland (PHS). It is treatable and curable – and if it’s found early nine out of ten people survive bowel cancer.

And that – the importance of early diagnosis – was the key for Colin. He said: “Because I did the test and sent it back quickly, my tumour was still at the early stages, and while at the time it was very traumatic to hear the ‘C’ word, and to face up to the fact I had cancer, the quick treatment I received means I can now look forward to a life without cancer.”

PHS data shows that, while two-thirds of people who were sent the screening kit, did it and returned it, the other third don’t.

That’s a statistic that Dr Emilia Crighton, Director of Public Health at NHSGGC, would like to change. She said: “If it’s detected early, bowel cancer is treatable and, in the vast majority of cases, curable.

“We understand that some people might put it off to a time when they’re less busy, or maybe just feel embarrassed about returning a stool sample, but we would encourage everyone not to wait.

“People like Colin are proof that taking this simple test really can change a life. Even if you’ve missed one in the past, taking the test when it drops through your door is so important.”

Dr Crighton stressed that taking the test and sending it back does not necessarily mean you will have to undergo a colonoscopy. In fact, only a relatively few – around 2-3% – have test results that suggest the need for a colonoscopy.

If in the unlikely event a cancer is found, doing the test in this way means it has been caught at an early enough stage that an operation is often enough to remove the cancer.

She also pointed out that if you find blood in your stool, or you worry you might have any other symptoms, you shouldn’t wait until the next test is posted to you.

“When it comes to bowel cancer, early detection is the key, so please don’t wait – if you’re experiencing symptoms that worry you, call your GP and get yourself checked out.”

To find out more about bowel screening or to order a test kit, go to NHS Inform. Alternatively, call the Scottish Bowel Screening Centre on 0800 0121 833.

FROM STEM TO THE SEA: Scottish charities benefit from share of £1.2m Scottishpower Foundation fund

Seven Scottish charities are set to receive a share of funding pot of over £1.2 million from the ScottishPower Foundation.

From environmental conservation to helping to provide education and opportunities to those in need, the projects, along with thirteen other charities in England and Wales, will receive a funding boost to empower them to continue to support the local environment and the communities they serve. 

Aberdeen Science Centre’s ‘Sustainable Superstars’ is set to benefit from funding. The soon-to-launch project is designed to make learning accessible and enjoyable for all to inspire a lifelong passion for science.

The new ‘Sustainable Superstars Roadshow’ will take interactive climate change lessons to 30,000 people in communities across North East Scotland within some of the most deprived Scottish neighbourhoods.

Exploring topics like sustainable travel, fashion and food as well as carbon emissions, the project seeks to inspire children and adults to embrace innovation for a greener future.

Bryan Snelling, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “As a STEM education charity that aims to inspire the next generation and instil a lifelong interest in science, we are always looking for fresh and creative ways to reach our audiences.

“We are very grateful to the ScottishPower Foundation for this funding, with our team busy developing activities for our new ‘Sustainable Superstars Roadshow’, which will help to educate and inform participants.”

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “Aberdeen Science Centre’s ‘Sustainable Superstars Roadshow’ is an excellent community-based project that will inspire the next generation of STEM experts, helping pupils in the north east to get a better understanding of how each and every one of us can make a difference to our global climate challenges.

We’re always looking to back organisations we feel will drive positive and lasting change across the UK and believe this year’s funded projects play a crucial role within our society – tackling some of the toughest challenges faced by communities across the country. We’re inspired by volunteers and charity workers doing incredible things in these communities and we can’t wait to see the extraordinary things they achieve this year.”

Another project receiving a share of the funding is Camphill Blair Drummond, an organisation providing residential places and day service activities for adults with learning disabilities. The ScottishPower Foundation’s funding will support the renovation of its media studio to create a new space for filmmaking and recording with advanced equipment.

By equipping individuals with the skills required for potential employment or further study, the project hopes to foster confidence and creativity within the community. Additionally, the project plans to expand its learning disability film festival, celebrating diversity through the arts and giving a voice to the learning disability community within Scotland and beyond.

On the Isle of Mull, The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust has been a pioneering force for the conservation of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in western Scotland for the past three decades.

The Trust will receive funding from the ScottishPower Foundation to support its latest initiative, Hebridean Marine Explorers: Connecting Scotland’s Seas and Communities.

Developed to inspire young people and local communities through unique outdoor education experiences and innovative co-design approach, the project comes complete with “floating classrooms” aboard the research yacht, Silurian.

The programme offers truly unique and immersive educational workshops where students can learn about marine life, conduct self-led research, and develop solutions to local environmental issues.

Additionally, a series of digital lessons will extend the project’s reach, fostering ocean literacy across Scotland and engaging a wider audience in marine conservation efforts.

Since 2013 the ScottishPower Foundation has donated over £15 million to more than 250 projects supporting people, communities and the environment. This year’s funding of over £1.2 million, aims to bolster projects focused on education, training, climate action, the arts and social initiatives that will make a real impact in their communities.

A full list of the 2025 ScottishPower Foundation funded projects are:

Celebrating Mamba Sounds, Scotland’s most promising culturally innovative music start-up 

Foysol Choudhury MSP Celebrates Scotland’s Most Promising Culturally Innovative Music Start-Up

On Friday, April 25, Mamba Sounds, a creative-tech company based in Edinburgh, celebrated the launch of its groundbreaking music streaming platform and company at the RBS building in St Andrews Square, Edinburgh.

The event marked a significant milestone for the company, which has already achieved remarkable success in the music industry, spearheading collaboration with top African talent. 

With over 2 billion cumulative streams driven through its playlisting network, Mamba Sounds has proven the commercial viability and global reach of its platform model. Artists promoted via Mamba Sounds, including artists such as ‘BoyBreed’, ‘Kokoë’, and ‘Eugy’, have reached audiences in more than 190 countries, including key streaming markets such as the UK, US, Nigeria, France, and Brazil.

They are driven by their work in building infrastructure for the future of African and global music and supporting artists through tech-enabled tools, curation, and fair growth strategies. 

To date, the collective has generated over 10 million streams, secured 335+ major playlist placements, and reached 9.66 million+ listeners. Campaigns have delivered 115 chart placements, 14.6K+ Shazams, and over 1.48 million video views across key platforms. 

The company has curated and supported the careers of over 300 artists across genres and geographies through its platforms like Afrolister and internal campaigns. Notably, 70% of the talent supported identifies as Black or multicultural, reflecting Mamba Sounds’ core mission to amplify underrepresented voices in music. 

Mamba Sounds is backed by Innovate UK’s Creative Catalyst Grant and the RBS Entrepreneur Accelerator, positioning it as one of Scotland’s most promising creative startups. At the launch event, the company unveiled two scalable tools designed to empower artists with development resources, music distribution insights, and analytics to grow their careers independently. 

Looking ahead, Mamba Sounds has been invited to showcase its work at the Scottish Parliament on 19 June, 2025, further highlighting its cultural relevance and policy-aligned innovation, sponsored by Foysol Choudhury MSP. 

This recognition underscores the company’s impact not only within the music industry but also in shaping conversations around creative entrepreneurship and representation. Founder Leo Fakhrul is also set to speak at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) at the African Union in Addis Ababa on May 13, further spotlighting Scottish creative innovation on the global stage. 

The launch event was a celebration of Mamba Sounds’ achievements and its commitment to driving change in the music industry. With its innovative platform, global influence, and dedication to supporting diverse talent, Mamba Sounds is set to redefine the landscape of artist development and music distribution.

This is the type of work that should be supported and championed. Congratulations to the whole team, especially Leo Fakhrul and Ziyad Alrasbi for their leadership and dedication to their craft.  

Commenting, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “I am proud to offer my support to this dedicated group of young entrepreneurs, who truly are paving the way for this new wave of Scottish innovation and creative-tech companies to thrive with inclusivity at the forefront of their mission.” 

Just Transition Fund reopens for applications

£8.5 million to support new projects

Communities across the North East and Moray will benefit from over £8 million of funding to create jobs in low carbon industries and enhance green and net zero skills.  

The Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund (JTF) helps finance industry and community projects working towards the transition to net zero by creating green jobs, supporting innovation, and securing the highly skilled workforce of the future.   

The JTF will be reopen for applications for the first time since 2022, and the Scottish Government is urging organisations, businesses and communities to apply for funding to support new projects. 

Since 2022, a total of £75 million has been invested through the fund supporting projects including:     

  • a ‘Digital Innovation Lab’ which provides immersive technology to help the construction sector decarbonise   
  • a travelling skills hub which provides training, STEM engagement and job up-skilling sessions to communities across the North East    
  • interventions designed to meet training needs based on work done to identify net zero training opportunities and areas of future demand  
  • industry-led development of an energy skills passport, a free tool for offshore oil and gas workers to identify training and qualifications routes into roles in the offshore wind sector  

Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin announced the JTF will reopen for applications during a site visit to offshore wind assembly company, Sarens PSG.

The organisation received £150,000 through the JTF’s Supply Chain Pathway and Energy Transition Challenge Fund delivered by ETZ Ltd, to upgrade their site to train the next generation of offshore wind technicians, engineers and operators.   

Ms Martin said: “Scotland’s innovation, expertise and vast renewable energy resources will not only benefit the planet – but deliver new economic Opportunities and new jobs for households and communities across the country.   

“It is vital that as we move towards net zero, workers, communities and businesses are able to capture the opportunities that the transition brings, and I have seen first-hand today the positive impact that the Just Transition Fund is having on people in the North East.    

“From enabling pioneering research that is accelerating the energy transition to providing skills interventions that directly support the transferability of the existing workforce – the Just Transition Fund is helping to safeguard jobs and livelihoods in the region for future generations.    

“This new £8 million funding from the Scottish Government responds directly to the immediate priorities within the region and will support projects with a specific focus on jobs, skills and economic opportunities.

“I strongly believe the North East will continue to be a titan in energy and that Scotland’s greatest contribution to the global climate challenge is our renewable energy potential.

“The Just Transition Fund is an important part of a wider programme of investment to deliver on that potential, including the Energy Transition Fund and our £125 million investment in the City Region Deal.” 

Maggie McGinlay, Chief Executive of ETZ Ltd, said: ““The supply chain is the very lifeblood of our energy sector and it is vital that we provide companies with the support required to capitalise on the vast opportunities that energy transition provide.

“The Challenge Fund was established to accelerate the development of new industry-related facilities, new equipment and existing infrastructure upgrades – including digital infrastructure – and to drive innovation and market entry into low carbon and green energy opportunities.

“To date, the fund has awarded £5.27 million to 41 companies across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray, successfully unlocking an additional £12.85 million in private investment so the strong appetite for energy transition across the region’s supply chain is evident. We welcome the Scottish Government’s ongoing support for this targeted initiative and the role ETZ Ltd has played as a valued partner of choice in delivering it.”

David Reid, Highlands and Islands Enterprise Area Manager for Moray, said: “We’re pleased that JTF funding for 2025-26 has opened for applications.

“Moray has many close ties, economically and geographically, to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. This puts us in a strong position to capitalise on being part of the area on which the fund is focused.

“I’d therefore encourage businesses, third sector enterprises and public sector partners with projects across Moray to register their interest in support from the fund.”

Applications will open on Tuesday 6 May at Just Transition Fund.   

Mercedes Azpilicueta: Fire on the mountain, light on the hill

COLLECTIVE ANNOUNCES NEW SUMMER EXHIBITION

We’re excited to announce our next exhibition, Fire on the Mountain, Light on the Hill, by leading visual and performance artist Mercedes Azpilicueta, originally from Buenos Aires, now based in Amsterdam. 

The exhibition will run from 20 June – 7 September 2025, and will be her first solo show in Scotland. Fire on the Mountain, Light on the Hill will form part of Edinburgh Art Festival’s programme, taking place from 7 – 24 August 2025.

The exhibition is centred on a monumental human-scale Jacquard tapestry entitled ‘Potatoes, Riots and Other Imaginaries’ (2021). Accompanying the tapestry will be a sound piece that introduces whispered gossip and glimpses of songs from social demonstrations.

This mixed media installation weaves together historic and contemporary themes – inspired by the artist’s research of the 1917 Potato Riots in the Jordaan neighbourhood of Amsterdam, directly organised by working class women of this community in response to the extreme food shortages they faced during the First World War.

The work also references contemporary collective action in the form of Ni Una Menos – the feminist grass roots social movement in Argentina, in which Azpilicueta has played an active role since 2015.

newly commissioned performance on Friday 22 August will draw connections between the themes of the tapestry to Collective’s site on Calton Hill. 

Azpilicueta has come together with award winning, Edinburgh-based artist and choreographer Janice Parker to devise this live event along with other Scottish performers. The exhibition will present drawings relating to the choreography and costumes that will be worn as part of the performance for Edinburgh Art Festival’s closing weekend. 

Azpilicueta’s work is committed to an exploration of care and resistance, often considering and revealing less well-known stories from history, and platforming the role of women who have made a difference in the past, and who continue to inspire in the present. 

Her recent exhibitions include a solo exhibition at Centro de Creación Contemporánea de Andalucía-C3A, Córdoba (2024), alongside presentations at the Barbican, London (2024) and Gasworks, London (2021).

Health Secretary Tours Site of Scotland’s Largest Vaccine Producer

Neil Gray MSP visits Valneva Scotland

Scotland’s largest vaccine producer, Valneva Scotland Ltd, recently welcomed Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, for a tour of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Livingston.

Valneva is a specialty vaccine company that develops, manufactures and commercialises prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases with unmet medical needs. Most recently Valneva was awarded Best Biotech of 2025 at the 16th Annual Vaccine Industry Excellence Awards in Washington D.C. 

During the visit, Neil met with some of Valneva Scotland’s leadership team and wider employees at its manufacturing centre of excellence in West Lothian. The tour covered various aspects of Valneva’s operational lifecycle from the Quality Control Sample Lab in the Manson building to the cleanroom manufacturing area in the new Almeida facility which boasts some of the highest specification lab space in the UK. 

Scottish Government Health and Social Care Secretary Neil Gray said: “I was pleased to see the continued success of Valneva in Scotland and its valuable contribution to improving health and the economy.

“Vaccine development for infectious diseases can help keep people safe at home and abroad; I congratulate Valneva on their pioneering and ongoing research in this field.

“Life sciences is a key sector of our economy, recognised internationally for its distinctive businesses and research institutions. As well as protecting people from infectious diseases, Valneva’s research has potential to support high value jobs.”

Greig Rooney, Managing Director at Valneva Scotland Ltd added: “It was a pleasure to welcome Neil to our manufacturing facility and showcase the ingenuity of our talented workforce and the sustainable practices we deliver every day.

“The UK continues to be a global leader in life sciences investment, thanks to its thriving manufacturing sector, and we’re proud to play our part in that success. 

“To realise the ambitions of the UK’s Life Sciences Vision, we must continue to build momentum and strengthen domestic biotech manufacturing capacity.

“At Valneva, we remain committed to working closely with the Office for Life Sciences, the UK Government and devolved administrations to improve public health outcomes and support the UK’s world-class research and development ecosystem.”

For more information about Valneva, please visit: www.valneva.com

Major new displays at National Galleries Scotland

Modern One to offer a chance to discover works by leading modern and contemporary artists for free

Discover some of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art at Modern One this Summer with a series of free ARTIST ROOMS displays in Edinburgh from 12 July 2025.

The national touring collection, cared for jointly by the National Galleries of Scotland and Tate, offers the opportunity to see compelling works by pioneering artists of our time. Experience impactful new displays by Louise Bourgeois, Helen Chadwick and Robert Mapplethorpe, each offering distinctive and diverse approaches to the ideas of self-expression, identity, and the complexity of our inner life.

Visitors will encounter Louise Bourgeois’s giant Spider (1994), standing at an impressive three metres high, innovative works by Helen Chadwick, and Robert Mapplethorpe’s striking self-portraits.

Themes in these three exciting ARTIST ROOMS presentations have provided the starting point for a series of new displays across Modern One, showcasing further works from the nation’s magnificent collection.

Explore paintings, drawings, prints and photography by artists such as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Sarah Lucas, Jasleen Kaur, Edvard Munch, Lee Miller and many more! Offering something for everyone, these displays provide a place to think, dream, and reflect.

Explore the works of French-American Louise Bourgeois, one of the most influential artists of her generation whose career spanned eight deades, from the 1930s until 2010. Her endlessly inventive work, inspired by her own experiences, included paintings and drawings, sculptures using fabric and rubber, and monumental installations.

The display will draw out the ways Bourgeois used art as an act of catharsis, with works exploring selfhood, family connections, motherhood and memory. Visitors will discover two important works on paper – 10 am is When You Come to Me (2005) and Spirals (2005) – and a rare early painting, made by Bourgeois in 1946-7.  

Discover her late sculpture Untitled (1996) made when Bourgeois was eighty-five, representing a portrait of the artist’s aging body using clothes and undergarments she had worn during her lifetime.

Be inspired by the radical, sensuous, and often playful works of British artist Helen Chadwick.  One of the first women artists to be nominated for the Turner Prize in 1987, her innovative and unconventional use of materials was hugely influential on a younger generation of British artists.

Her death in 1996 at 42 curtailed a career marked by inventive transgression, questioning gender representation and the nature of desire. Early photographic works in this display will explore how she used her own body to consider autobiography, self-knowledge, the cycles of life and familial relationships.

Discover how Chadwick developed her practice to incorporate other matter as stand ins for the body, as found in Self Portrait (1991) and Meat Abstract (1989), both held in Scotland’s collection.  

The display will feature Chadwick’s major sculptural installation, Piss Flowers (1991-2), lent by Tate having recently been donated as part of the D.Daskalopoulos Collection Gift. Throughout all her work Chadwick addressed deeply philosophical questions about the interconnectedness of physical and emotional states, life and death, beauty and decay, and attraction and repulsion.

ARTIST ROOMS features one of the largest and best collections of photographic works by the American Robert Mapplethorpe in existence.

A pioneer of black-and-white photography, within his relatively short career, Mapplethorpe was recognised as one of the most significant fine art photographers of the late 20th century, making images that both challenge and engage with classical notions of beauty.

The display will focus on a selection of the artist’s iconic self-portraits, demonstrating how Mapplethorpe examined his own persona. Made over a period of more than 10 years, they show the powerful ways Mapplethorpe captured the many facets of his own evolving identity.

Delve into displays showcasing the breadth of Scotland’s modern and contemporary collection as you wander through the rest of Modern One. Come face to face with compelling self-portraits by some of the most well-known international artists of the 20th and 21st century.

Be moved by striking works exploring connection and care, including two works by Turner Prize winning artist Jasleen Kaur acquired in 2024 for the nation.

Explore how artists such as Bill Viola, Pablo Picasso, Everlyn Nicodemus, Pat Douthwaite and Don McCullin have addressed personal and collective grief.

Find your moment of pause and reflection in a room pairing contemplative paintings by acclaimed American abstract artist, Agnes Martin (from the ARTIST ROOMS collection) with Shirazeh Houshiary’s 1992 Round Dance series, offering a place of calm.

Dive into Summer with captivating experiences at Modern One. Families can pack a picnic and relax in the stunning grounds surrounding the gallery. On arrival you will be in awe of the spiralling Landform in front of the gallery, designed by landscape architect Charles Jencks.

Pick up a free copy of the sculpture trail for kids or download it before you arrive and enjoy it on your device as you set off to discover sculptural works by major artists including Barbara Hepworth, Joan Miró and Tracey Emin.

A Family Art Basket can be collected for free, packed with everything you need to find, chat and make together – be inspired by the fascinating art both inside and outside the gallery and allow your own creativity to flow.

Lucy Askew, Chief Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art said: ‘We’re delighted that from this July, visitors to Modern One can explore new, free displays from the nation’s collection.

“Art can be a source of insight and delight, helping us make sense of our place in the world. At the heart of these displays will be presentations of works by Louise Bourgeois, Helen Chadwick and Robert Mapplethorpe, featured as part of our ARTIST ROOMS collection.

“All three artists considered deeply what it is to be human, expressing this in dynamic, intriguing and often playful ways. Their art not only reflects shared experiences, bringing attention to the things that connect us, but also offers a window onto different perspectives.

“We hope visitors will be inspired by their vision and creativity, and by the work of the many other impressive and engaging artists featured. There is truly something for all to discover.’