The Scottish Government is teaming up with MND Scotland to fund research to investigate potential causes of and therapies for motor neurone disease (MND).
Each partner is contributing £125,000 to provide the opportunity for a clinical professional to undertake a PhD to both enhance MND research and MND clinical capacity in NHS Scotland. The three-year Clinical Academic Fellowship will start in 2024.
According to MND Scotland, in the UK, there is a 1 in 300 lifetime risk of getting MND and there is currently no cure or effective disease modifying treatment available. Average life expectancy following diagnosis is just 18 months.
Deputy First Minister Shona Robison announced the funding in Paris where she welcomed charity cyclists who had travelled from Edinburgh to raise funds for the MND charity My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Ms Robison said: “MND is a devastating condition, and we are committed to ensuring that all people living with MND in Scotland are able to access the best possible care and support.
“MND is incredibly distressing for the person with the condition and their family. The research funding in collaboration with MND Scotland will allow vital work to study the progression of the condition and help inform the development of future treatments.”
Dr Jane Haley, Director of Research at MND Scotland, said: “We are proud of our ongoing partnership with the Scottish Government. This is our third joint funded fellowship and will further build MND research capacity within the NHS in Scotland.
“MND is a brutal disease that affects too many lives. With this joint funding, we are taking a further step towards understanding the causes of MND and the search for effective treatments.
“We look forward to future collaborations with the Scottish Government, including ensuring that Scotland is equipped to roll out any emerging treatments for MND which may arise from the clinical trials currently underway.”
Edinburgh has been selected to host a next-gen supercomputer fuelling economic growth, building on the success of a Bristol-based AI supercomputer, creating high-skilled jobs
Edinburgh nominated to host next-generation compute system, 50 times more powerful than our current top-end system
national facility – one of the world’s most powerful – will help unlock major advances in AI, medical research, climate science and clean energy innovation, boosting economic growth
new exascale system follows AI supercomputer in Bristol in transforming the future of UK science and tech and providing high-skilled jobs
Edinburgh is poised to host a next-generation compute system amongst the fastest in the world, with the potential to revolutionise breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, medicine, and clean low-carbon energy.
The capital has been named as the preferred choice to host the new national exascale facility, as the UK government continues to invest in the country’s world-leading computing capacity – crucial to the running of modern economies and cutting-edge scientific research.
Exascale is the next frontier in computing power, where systems are built to carry out extremely complex functions with increased speed and precision. This in turn enables researchers to accelerate their work into some of the most pressing challenges we face, including the development of new drugs, and advances in nuclear fusion to produce potentially limitless clean low-carbon energy.
The exascale system hosted at the University of Edinburgh will be able to carry out these complicated workloads while also supporting critical research into AI safety and development, as the UK seeks to safely harness its potential to improve lives across the country.
Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: “If we want the UK to remain a global leader in scientific discovery and technological innovation, we need to power up the systems that make those breakthroughs possible.
“This new UK government funded exascale computer in Edinburgh will provide British researchers with an ultra-fast, versatile resource to support pioneering work into AI safety, life-saving drugs, and clean low-carbon energy.
“It is part of our £900 million investment in uplifting the UK’s computing capacity, helping us forge a stronger Union, drive economic growth, create the high-skilled jobs of the future and unlock bold new discoveries that improve people’s lives.”
Computing power is measured in ‘flops’ – floating point operations – which means the number of arithmetic calculations that a computer can perform every second. An exascale system will be 50 times more powerful than our current top-end system, ARCHER2, which is also housed in Edinburgh.
The investment will mean new high-skilled jobs for Edinburgh, while the new national facility would vastly upgrade the UK’s research, technology and innovation capabilities, helping to boost economic growth, productivity and prosperity across the country in support of the Prime Minister’s priorities.
UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser said: “State-of-the-art compute infrastructure is critical to unlock advances in research and innovation, with diverse applications from drug design through to energy security and extreme weather modelling, benefiting communities across the UK.
“This next phase of investment, located at Edinburgh, will help to keep the UK at the forefront of emerging technologies and facilitate the collaborations needed to explore and develop game-changing insights across disciplines.”
Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, said: “We have already seen the vital work being carried out by ARCHER2 in Edinburgh and this new exascale system, backed by the UK government, will keep Scotland at the forefront of science and innovation.
“As well as supporting researchers in their critical work on AI safety this will bring highly skilled jobs to Edinburgh and support economic growth for the region.”
The announcement follows the news earlier this month that Bristol will play host to a new AI supercomputer, named Isambard-AI, which will be one of the most powerful for AI in Europe.
The cluster will act as part of the national AI Research Resource (AIRR) to maximise the potential of AI and support critical work around the safe development and use of the technology.
Plans for both the exascale compute and the AIRR were first announced in March, as part of a £900 million investment to upgrade the UK’s next-generation compute capacity, and will deliver on two of the recommendations set out in the independent review into the Future of Compute.
Both announcements come as the UK prepares to host the world’s first AI Safety Summit on 1 and 2 November.
The summit will bring together leading countries, technology organisations, academics and civil society to ensure we have global consensus on the risks emerging from the most immediate and rapid advances in AI and how they are managed, while also maximising the benefits of the safe use of the technology to improve lives.
Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information following two robberies and an attempted robbery in the Colinton area on Saturday.
Around 7.40pm on Saturday, 7 October, a man entered shop premises on Bridge Road, threatened a male member of staff with a knife, and demanded money. The suspect then left the premises with a three-figure sum of cash before making off in the direction of Colinton Village.
The suspect is described as a being aged between 30 – 40, 6’2”, athletic build with a local Scottish accent. He was wearing a distinctive light grey Adidas hooded top with a neon green trim, white face covering, light-coloured gloves, dark trousers, and dark trainers.
Around 7.50am on Sunday, 8 October, a man entered shop premises on Colinton Road, threatened a female member of staff with a knife and demanded she hand over money and cigarettes. He left empty-handed.
Shortly after, around 8.30am, the same described man entered shop premises in Ashley Terrace, in possession of a knife, threatened the staff, and again demanded money. He left the premises with a three-figure sum of cash.
He was wearing a black and white coloured face covering with a skull and cross-bone design, a black hooded top with an orange t-shirt underneath. He also wore camouflaged coloured jogging bottoms, and black and red/pink shoes, and was carrying a white string bag secured on both shoulders.
Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper from Edinburgh Division CID said: “The members of staff in all three incidents have been left badly shaken and it is vital that we trace the person involved.
“Due to the physical description of the suspect involved and the proximity of the premises it is believed the incidents are linked.
“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen the suspect in the surrounding areas before or after the incidents to please get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3529 of the 7 October, 2023.
A spectacular outlook is guaranteed for home buyers following the completion of three striking new three-bed homes at Rowanbank Gardens, Edinburgh.
The apartments, each of which are now ‘move-in ready,’ offer between 86 and 94 square metres of light and airy space and are located on the first, third and fourth floor of the recently completed ‘Appleberry’ phase of the award-winning new homes development.
All the apartments have a fully fitted kitchen opening on to a substantial balcony area and come complete with natural oak flooring and stylish bathrooms. Prices for the three-bed apartments range from £422,500 for the first-floor property to £440,000 for the fourth-floor location.
Located in the heart of the bustling Edinburgh suburb of Corstorphine, Rowanbank Gardens is now welcoming residents to the first of its 93 apartments for private sale set around a large garden space filled with fruit trees and communal planting beds. The development is proving to be a popular destination for first-time buyers and downsizers wanting to live in well-connected, vibrant community just minutes from the city centre.
Nearly half of all apartments have already been snapped up by savvy buyers, impressed by the combination of high-quality living, immaculate environmental credentials and central location, with just four apartments remaining of the completed Appleberry phase. Rowanbank Gardens is being delivered by Artisan Real Estate which scooped the first ever ‘Excellence in Sustainability’ gong at this year’s Scottish Homes Awards, and the spectacular three-bed apartments are amongst the first homes to be completed at the development.
“With the completion of this first homes phase, it’s great to be able to give home buyers first-hand experience of the size and scale of each apartment which is especially evident with the launch of the three-bed apartments,” says Artisan’s New Homes Sales Advisor Izzy Bastiani. “Our buyers are wowed by the light and airy living spaces, as well as the quality of the natural oak flooring and the fittings in the kitchen and bathroom, all of which come as standard.”
The new occupants of Rowanbank Gardens are also benefitting from the developer’s commitment to achieving zero carbon low-cost living. Izzy adds: “Rowanbank Gardens is one of the first large developments in Scotland to employ individual air source heat pumps in all apartments, providing both heating and domestic hot water. So, as well as experiencing an extremely high quality of life homeowners can also save money as well as the environment.”
Prices for a one-bedroom apartment at Rowanbank Gardens start from £245,000, with a two-bedroom from £328,000 and a three-bedroom from £422,500.
To book an appointment at the Rowanbank Gardens show home, visit the development website at www.rowanbankgardens.com or call 0131 516 3302.
Based on the incredible, and poignant, true story of British World War II Royal Navy veteran Bernard Jordan – played by Sir Michael Caine – who in June 2014 “broke out” of his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in Normandy, The Great Escaper has been released at the cinema.
Ahead of the general release, several premières have taken place around the country – including in Scotland – and volunteers from the Edinburgh & The Lothians Branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity attended the screening by Edinburgh’s Army at The Fringe.
SSAFA Caseworkers Fran Good and Mags Granger, and Branch Chairman Walter Gallacher, were moved by the film, which co-stars the late Glenda Jackson in her last role as Bernard’s wife Irene.
No spoilers, but some thoughts on the film from SSAFA volunteers:
Mags commented that the film: “… is a humorous but moving reminder that life is more than the person you see in front of you.
“It really is a must-see film for all those who care passionately about others and the role we play in extending a hand of support and friendship to those who need us most.”
Walter added:“It’s as if the film was made for SSAFA and similar organisations and the people who work for us and volunteer with us and for all those we help.”
The Great Escaper – directed by Oliver Parker, whose credits include various adaptations of Oscar Wilde works, Johnny English Reborn, and Dad’s Army – is now on general release.
SSAFA was granted access to Oliver to interview him about the film. To watch the interview, visit vimeo.com/870713127.
The Springboard programme is for young adults aged 16-25 who are currently either at risk of homelessness or accessing homelessness services across Edinburgh.
Participants will be able to gain qualifications in Emergency First Aid at Work as well as Elementary Food Hygiene. We will support the group with employability skills such as CV writing, Job Interview Skills and Job Applications.
We also run workshops focused on mental health and wellbeing as well as weekly social outings to encourage participants to form lasting friendships.
The programme also includes a 3-day Residential trip with the Scottish Outdoor Education Centre to allow the participants to try their hand at some adventurous outdoor activities like rock climbing, abseiling, archery and much more!
Bus fare can be covered by Four Square and lunch will be provided on each day of the course.
McAleer & Rushe has announced a three-year commitment to community groups in Edinburgh as part of its Dockside project, a neighbourhood of at least 338 build-to-rent homes where Goodstone Living is the developer and investment manager.
Each year McAleer & Rushe will provide a monetary donation to a community group or charity as well as ongoing support and engagement throughout the year.
The first organisation to be chosen in the Design & Build Contractor’s three year plan is Citadel Youth Centre, which has been providing community based youth work in Leith since 1980, and will receive a £5,000 donation.
As well as funding day trips for Mums and toddlers, new equipment and a Wellbeing Festival, the financial investment will support a number of the charity’s employability schemes including new laptops and personal PPE for young people entering their first new job.
This initiative from McAleer & Rushe will complement Goodstone Living’s social value strategy for the waterfront scheme, which will deliver over £2m worth of socio-economic benefits for the local community – including the creation of 60 jobs – as well as the construction of over 1.3 acres of new public realm space.
Commenting on the partnership Paul Marlow, Project Director at McAleer & Rushe said, “We are incredibly proud to be supporting Citadel Youth Centre who through their hard work and dedication are helping people within the local community via a range of programmes and educational opportunities.
“As a company we are committed to making a positive impact to the communities in which we work to bring wider community benefits and create social value for those living in the local area and this project in Edinburgh is just one example of this.
“Enriching so many lives in the Leith community, Citadel Youth Centre really inspires and supports a range of young people from 6-18 shaping lives for the better, guiding young people into employment and making a real difference with the community.”
Willy Barr from Citadel Youth Centre said: “We would like to thank Paul and all the team at McAleer & Rushe for all of their help and support.
“The money that they have kindly donated will help us to continue to be able to deliver our youth programmes, educational schemes, family support groups and intergenerational work and will really make a difference to those in the community that use our services.”
Lee Hawkins, Construction Director, Goodstone Living, said: “Together, Goodstone Living and McAleer & Rushe will be delivering long-lasting benefits to the Leith community, with direct support for local people as well as the charities and key stakeholders making an impact here.
“In addition to the supply of high-quality and much needed rental housing, we are committed to the creation of jobs, skills and learning in a sustainable manner.”
Does anyone have unneeded crutches to give away for free? Ewa from the Nasz Dom Foundation is collecting mobility crutches, unwanted by you and NHS, for soldiers and people in Ukraine.
The equipment is then transported free of charge to the city of Poznań in Poland, from where the local Nasz Dom Foundation once a month transports the most necessary items in a van to Ukraine, especially wheelchairs, crutches, dressings (compression bandages, bandages in general, etc.), underwear for soldiers, medicines, etc.
Here is a message from Ewa:
‘I have heard that people sometimes have old crutches and don’t know what to do with them, NHS doesn’t want them back, so – after consulting with all the saints – I thought that here in Edinburgh we could help by collecting unwanted crutches.
‘Two transports are already in Ukraine – and from what Voytek – the organizer – said, they are very much expected and very needed. (A lot of people with amputations). These transports are delivered directly to one of the hospitals and to soldiers from the frontline.‘
Take a visual journey through the history of architecture and explore the connection between people, places and photography in the National Galleries of Scotland’s new exhibition, Making Space: Photographs of Architecture.
Opening yesterday at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh, the exhibition focuses on one of the most enduring themes in the story of photography: architecture. With over 40 photographs from the 1840s to the present day to see, Making Space is the fourth instalment in a popular series of free exhibitions which explores the richness of Scotland’s national photography collection.
Generously supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, and awarded funds by Postcode Culture Trust, Making Space not only considers the integral role of architecture in the history of photography, but also how buildings impact everyday life. Architecture has the power to tackle inequality, address social issues including homelessness, poverty and displacement, and even create a more sustainable future; key themes considered throughout the exhibition.
Visually engaging and physically static, buildings were the perfect subjects for early photography, with the evolving built landscape continuing to inspire photography enthusiasts today.
From the dawn of its invention to new techniques of today, Making Space spans the breadth of photographic history. The exhibition invites visitors to peer through the camera lens and uncover a diverse range of photographic styles, formats and processes.
From Hill & Adamson’s early experiments on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill to spectacular contemporary photographs which capture the breathtaking scale of modern buildings.
Standout modern works include Andreas Gursky’s San Francisco which goes on display at the Portrait for the first time since its acquisition in 1999. Deliberately disorientating, Gursky uses digital manipulation to challenge perception, with humans often appearing insignificant and dominated by their built environment.
The exhibition also features three key loans from Tate, including work by renowned photographers Bernd and Hilla Becher, Candida Höfer and Hiroshi Sugimoto.
Chris Leslie
Making Space introduces several acquisitions made by National Galleries of Scotland in recent years, including six works from Scottish photographer Chris Leslie’s Disappearing Glasgow series and a further six from Canadian born Sylvia Grace Borda’s project exploring modernist architecture in East Kilbride.
Untitled (Rosemary and Ocean) and Untitled (Sweetbriar and Atlantic) by Philadelphia based photographer Mark Havens round off the new acquisitions, with his colourful works gifted to National Galleries Scotland in 2019.
The social history of Scotland plays a central role within Making Space, with some of the earliest work providing a window into Scotland’s past, and more recent work tackling the issues of today.
Historic highlights include David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson’s photographs from the early 1840’s, depicting the construction of Edinburgh’s Sir Walter Scott Monument. These iconic images not only record the birth of one of the Scottish capital’s most recognisable manmade features, but also provide the first known photographic documentation of a building site.
Thomas Annan
Heading west to Glasgow, Thomas Annan’s The Old Closes and Streets of Glasgow series offers a 19th century view on what could also be considered a 21st century problem – the housing crisis.
In documenting the overpopulation in the east end of the city, Annan used photography to highlight inequality and push for change. This collection of photographs is now recognised as pivotal to documentary photography, offering visitors insight into an important moment in history.
Linking historic photographs to the present day are a wide variety of contemporary works from across Scotland. Picking up where Thomas Annan left off, albeit over a century later, Leslie’s Disappearing Glasgow series documents stories from the people on the frontline of the city’s extensive demolition and regeneration programme.
Following years of decline, Glasgow’s Red Road Flats were eventually demolished in 2013, with former residents watching from the sidelines. The building’s demise and subsequent social impact have been carefully recorded by Leslie.
At the other end of the spectrum, the work of Sylvia Grace Borda tackles the evolving nature of architecture and the ways in which it can be used to improve society. Designed in 1947 and widely considered one of the most complete Modernist towns in the UK, East Kilbride was constructed to relieve pressure from an overpopulated Glasgow.
A visual record of the town was created by Borda between 2005-2017, highlighting not only the modern architecture, but the green spaces, integrated public services and homes flooded with natural light, showing what architectural design can achieve when the needs of people are at its heart.
Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotlandsaid: “This continued series of free exhibitions at the Portrait Gallery is a fantastic way to explore the history of photography though the richness and diversity of the national collection.
“Making Space: Photographs of Architecture presents an opportunity to not only marvel in the evolution of photography, but also consider the impact our built environment has on society, health, and sustainability.
“We are proud to present several new acquisitions by contemporary photographers from Scotland and beyond, displayed for the first time alongside work by the trailblazers who inspired them.”
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Architecture impacts us in ways we don’t often realise – the built environment around us affects how we feel.
“Our players have raised over £5 million in funding for the National Galleries of Scotland. I’m delighted that this money means exhibitions like Making Space are free for everyone to enjoy and learn more about architecture and how it impacts people’s lives across Scotland.”
Making Space: Photographs of Architecture opened at the Portrait yesterday on Saturday 7 October.
YMCA Edinburgh, in partnership with Bethany Christian Trust and Harbour, are organising two opportunities to share your experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic is part of the Lets Be Heard programme.
We are trying to reach as many people in Leith as possible so the voices and stories of Leiths pandemic experiences are heard.
Our sessions will be on the 24th of October at 1 p.m and 6p.m at the Harbour offices.
The events are open to anyone over 16 who live, work or volunteer in Leith and were here during lockdown.
