Friday 31 March, 2-8pm Southside Community Centre, 117 Nicholson St
Hidden Door takes place in unique, empty spaces around Edinburgh and this year we’re heading to the iconic offices on Dalkeith Road, the former Scottish Widows HQ, from 31 May to 4 June.
As a local community-run charity we’re keen to speak to people who live and work in the area. Drop into Southside Community Centre next Friday, anytime between 2-8pm, to meet the team, find out more about the festival and how you can get involved.
We would especially like to hear from small local businesses to see how we can benefit you.
The campaign celebrates the return of the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling Championships to the Royal Highland Show, which takes place 22nd-25th June 2023.
The art trail features over 35 specially designed sheep sculptures, decorated by artists from across the UK. Designed to engage visitors of all ages, the trail will also raise awareness of different causes related to farming, including regenerative agriculture, rural isolation and climate change.
Artists who designed a sheep include Charlotte Brayley from Comrie, Perthshire, whose art project on her pet sheep, Alan, helped pay for her wedding, and Megan Reilly from Hamliton, South Lanarkshire, who designed the ‘Shepherds Delight’ sheep and has painted over 1000 murals in her artistic career.
As part of the campaign, there will be four opportunities, one in each area, to win a VIP Royal Highland Show experience for all the family – available for children and adults of all ages to enter. Budding artists can download a sheep outline from the Royal Highland Show website and create their own design to be in with a chance of winning. Information on how to enter can be found in the Flock to the Show section of the Royal Highland Show website.
Following the tour, the flock shall return to the Royal Highland Show during the Golden Shears in June this year, which will be the only time the sheep sculptures will gather together in one location.
The flock will then be auctioned at a gala dinner in September to raise funds that will support the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland Bicentennial Fund, which supports projects dedicated to sustainability in the rural sector.
The tour will cover four main areas – Aberdeenshire and Inverness; Dundee, Fife and Perthshire; Strathclyde and Dumfries & Galloway; and Lothian and the Scottish Borders.
Details of the tour areas can be found below.
Aberdeenshire and Inverness: 3rd – 16th April
Locations include: Eastgate Shopping Centre, Ballater Visitor Centre; Aviemore Visitor Centre; Douneside House; Logie Farm Steading; and John O’Groats Visitor Centre.
Stirling, Dundee, Fife and Perthshire: 18thth – 30th April
Locations include: House of Bruar; Gloagburn Farm Shop; Visit Scotland iCentre St Andrews; Falkirk Wheel; Loch Leven’s Larder; and the Kelpies Visitor Centre.
Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway and Glasgow: 2nd – 14th May
Locations include: Buchanan Galleries; Glasgow Queen Street train station; Gretna Green; and SRUC Barony.
Lothians and the Scottish Borders: 16th–30th May
Locations include: St James Quarter; Edinburgh Waverley Train Station, Drift, North Berwick; Melrose Rugby Club; and Craigies Farm.
The Royal Highland Show takes place 22 – 25 June 2023, tickets are on sale now at: royalhighlandshow.org
Jim Warnock, Chairman of Royal Highland Show organisers, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), commented: “We are very much looking forward to seeing our flock out and about across Scotland.
“Not only does Flock to the Show celebrate the return of the Golden Shears to the Royal Highland Show, but it will also shine a spotlight on some important causes in the agricultural and rural sectors.
“We hope that everyone will get involved and pay a visit to our flock when they arrive in your region – with such a brilliant and diverse range of designs from talented artists, visitors won’t be disappointed!”
Neil McIntosh, Editor of The Scotsman, Flock to the Show’s Media Partner, added: “The Scotsman team are delighted to support the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland as Media Partner of its Flock to the Show nationwide art trail and the 2023 Golden Shears Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling World Championships.
“Our partnership will help inspire our audience to learn more about Scottish agriculture, rural life and the vital work of RHASS.
“We call upon our loyal readers and corporate partners to get behind these fantastic initiatives and in turn support the very best standards in agriculture, forestry and stewardship of our countryside.”
Commenting on the Flock to the Show campaign, Minister for Environment and Land Reform Mairi McAllan MSP said: “The prestigious ‘Golden Shears’ competition taking place in Edinburgh this year highlights the high international standing of Scotland’s agricultural industry.
“Our rural communities should be rightly proud of that reputation, and this exhibition is an important way of celebrating their success. I hope it can help to encourage more young people into what is an essential, thriving, and highly regarded sector, to learn important skills, and even become qualified shearers.
“The innovative exhibition is also a unique and creative way of drawing attention to important agricultural issues – such as the cost of living and doing business, rural isolation, animal health and welfare, and the climate and nature emergencies. Through our Vision for Agriculture, we are committed to supporting our rural communities through these challenges towards a more sustainable, diverse and flourishing future.”
A campaign to raise awareness of the bowel conditions Crohn’s and Colitis has been launched as study shows cases are rising.
Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis – commonly referred to as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – are long-term conditions which inflame the gut.
The campaign comes as research from Crohn’s & Colitis UK shows the rates of IBD are higher than previously thought, with Scotland found to have the highest rates in the UK.
Symptoms include a sore stomach, recurring diarrhoea, weight loss and extreme tiredness, which if not treated can lead to complications.
The campaign will raise awareness of the symptoms with posters and leaflets in GP surgeries and community centres, as well as social media, urging anyone who is concerned to contact their GP practice.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf said: “Raising awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis is crucial to ensure we can get people diagnosed as early as possible, and give them the right care and treatment.
“This will help them to get the best support, make informed choices about their diet – and live their lives to the full.
“As part of the Modernising Patient Pathways Programme from the Centre of Sustainable Delivery, improvements have already been made for patients with IBD and we will continue working with the third-sector and people with the condition to make sure this important work continues.”
Sarah Sleet, CEO of Crohn’s & Colitis UK said: “We know that there are over 50,000 people in Scotland living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis but too many take too long to get diagnosed.
“For one in four, it’s over a year and nearly half of them end up in A&E in the meantime. Recognising the symptoms of Crohn’s and Colitis, which are widely misunderstood, and having the confidence to talk to a healthcare professional are the first steps on the path to a diagnosis.
“We’re thrilled that the Scottish Government is leading the rest of the UK in raising public awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis, to improve the lives of everyone affected.
“Our message is simple: if you have frequent diarrhoea, stomach pain or blood in your poo, don’t suffer in silence, go and see your GP. The earlier you find out what’s wrong, the sooner you can get the help you need.”
New data reveals that Edinburgh North and Leith residents would be able to save an estimated average of £1,294 through Government-funded home insulation and heat pump installation
On weekends throughout February and March, Greenpeace Edinburgh spoke to people in Edinburgh about their energy bills, and the solutions to the cost of living and climate crisis.
Residents wrote eight messages to Deirdre Brock, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, about their worries. These messages will be delivered next week, as part of the Warm This Winter mass lobby.
Local people also used the Affordable Energy Calculator [1] to see how much money they would save on their energy bills if our homes were well insulated and had cheaper, cleaner energy.
Carrie from Newhaven wrote: ‘Help to combat energy costs has helped but costs are still too high. Funding for new home-owners to help insulate windows is needed.’
Mark, a resident in North Edinburgh, wrote: ‘It would be great to see someone in the government stand up for lower energy bills and preparing homes for becoming sustainable and economical to maintain.’
Another local, Ros, wrote: ‘We need to prioritise those who need help during this time and make the cost of living crisis a lot more manageable than it currently is.’
Ian, a volunteer from Leith said: ‘The messages that people in Edinburgh North and Leith have written to Deirdre Brock MP show how people are still having to choose between heating and eating.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. We need the Government to commit more money for home insulation and heat pumps to make our homes warmer, our bills cheaper and our carbon emissions lower.’
Keeping the Energy Price Guarantee at £2,500 per month rather than raising it to £3000 is welcome but 7.5 million households in the UK will continue to be in fuel poverty from 1st April. If the Government makes the investment necessary to meet their currently unfunded 2030 targets for insulation, and support a UK heat pump programme, a typical UK home would see a difference of £1,832 a year, with savings ranging from around six hundred to several thousand pounds.
Data from the Affordable Energy Calculator shows that people in Edinburgh North and Leith could save an estimated average of £1,294 on their energy bills by 2030.
Hugh who lives in this constituency said: “‘I live in a rented flat in Leith and I was amazed to see that I would save £1,083 on my energy bill in 2030 if my home was properly insulated and was powered by a heat pump.
“I’d definitely recommend checking out the Affordable Energy Calculator to see how much you could save if the Government funded a UK-wide home insulation and heat pump programme.’
Ian added: “On 31st March, Greenpeace volunteers and other constituents have invited Deirdre Brock to meet as part of the Warm This Winter Coalition’s mass lobby.
“We are asking Deirdre Brock to pledge to call for the expansion of Government-funded home insulation schemes, heat pump installation, more investment in renewable energy, and further support for vulnerable households with their energy bills.
“If you live in Edinburgh North and Leith, we’d love for you to join us in inviting Deirdre Brock to meet, or if you live elsewhere, check out the online map [below] to see if a meeting has already been organised with your MP.”
Additional support totalling £848,123 is being provided from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) for a trio of flagship regeneration projects in the city.
The Leith Community Croft project is transforming a former tennis pavilion at Leith Links into a new multifunctional community hub run by the environmental charityEarth in Common.
It will be used for events, training, and promoting local food production and will receive £159,123 of the additional funding.
The Macmillan Hub in Pennywell will feature a library, an early years centre, affordable housing, and a new enterprise, workshop, learning and creative studio space to be run by the local charityNorth Edinburgh Arts.
The Hub forms part of the wider strategic regeneration of Pennywell-Muirhouse and will receive £500,000 of the additional funding, to be used to help deliver the creative space.
The project will deliver workspaces for artists and micro-businesses along with a new home for the popular Pitt Street Food Market. The project will receive £189,000 of the additional funding towards the renewal of doors and windows along with essential utilities work.
Welcoming the news, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Mandy Watt said: “This funding is very welcome as these projects will play a key role in the ongoing regeneration and enhancement of Granton Waterfront, Pennywell, and Leith in north Edinburgh.
“The funding will help the projects in their goals to bring new jobs, training courses, and recreation opportunities to the communities of all three areas. I look forward to visiting these projects in future to see how they are benefitting local people in the years to come.”
Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur said: “I congratulate these projects on making progress and supporting jobs, investment and wider opportunities. Regeneration of Scotland’s more disadvantaged communities is a key Scottish Government priority to help transform the economy.
“This extra Scottish Government funding will help deliver fairer and more prosperous local districts.”
Featuring the iconic music of Runrig, and in the year of the band’s 50th anniversary, the show visits Inverness, Stirling, Edinburgh, Greenock, Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Perth from 05 May to 24 June
New performers Juliet Cadzow, Robin Campbell, Jenny Hulse, Naomi Stirrat and Ali Watt join returning cast Caitlin Forbes, Annie Grace, Robert Grose, Barrie Hunter, and Brian James O’Sullivan.
Winner Best Music and Sound at the 2022 CATS Awards
The Stamping Ground, the must-see new stage musical featuring the hits of Runrig, one of Scotland’s most beloved and iconic bands, is set to hit the road on a Scotland-wide tour later this year.
An exciting co-production between Raw Material and Eden Court Highlands, the show first premiered in Inverness in July 2022, earning glowing reviews and audience acclaim.
Following the success of last year’s premiere performances The Stamping Ground will now tour to some of Scotland’s biggest stages from 5 May to 24 June 2023. once again opening in Inverness at Eden Court before visiting Stirling (Macrobert Arts Centre), Edinburgh (Festival Theatre), Greenock (The Beacon), Aberdeen (His Majesty’s Theatre), Glasgow (The Kings Theatre), and Perth (Perth Concert Hall).
A heart-soaring musical story about love, life and the land, The Stamping Ground follows the story of Euan and Annie, who return to their rural Scottish community after years away seeking a fresh start with their teenage daughter. But there’s a heatwave in the Highlands and they soon find themselves lost in this once familiar place, now filled with more tourists than residents.
The heart of their community, the local pub, is for sale and tensions are rising about the future of this place they call home. As relationships ignite and smoulder, Euan and Annie find themselves swept into a battle to save the heart of the community. But can they save each other?
Featuring exciting new arrangements of some of Runrig’s most iconic hit songs, including The Greatest Flame, All Things Must Change, and of course The Stamping Ground, the musical shares the soaring power and beating heart of some of the band’s most celebrated music. All of the songs in the show are written by Runrig’s founding members Calum and Rory MacDonald, with 2023 also marking 50 years since the brothers formed the band on the Isle of Skye in 1973.
★★★★“breathes compelling new life into Runrig’s songs” – The Times
★★★★ “Should be guaranteed a long and joyful theatrical life”-The Scotsman
The production will be bolstered with new cast members joining the ensemble for the tour. They include Juliet Cadzow, (an icon of Scottish stage and screen famous for her roles in the likes of River City and Balamory), Jenny Hulse (who has starred as Amber Murdoch in River City since 2015, as well as hit Netflix film Outlaw King), Ali Watt (a regular performer with Pitlochry Festival Theatre, earning rave reviews for his performances during their 70th anniversary season in 2021), Naomi Stirrat (Grid Iron’s Muster Station at EIF 2022), and Robin Campbell (Magnetic North’s Lost in Music)
They will join returning cast members Caitlin Forbes, Annie Grace, Robert Grose, Barrie Hunter, and Brian James O’Sullivan. The performers are also joined on stage by musicians John Kielty, Jon Mackenzie, and Stuart Semple to help bring the soaring power of the songs to life.
The Stamping Ground is written by award-winning playwright Morna Young (concept by Alan B. McLeod) with musical direction & arrangements by John Kielty, directed by Luke Kernaghan and with design from Kenneth MacLeod. The creative team includes Simon Wilkinson as Lighting Designer, Garry Boyle as Sound Designer, and Jade Adamson as Movement Director.
Margaret-Anne O’Donnell and Gillian Garrity, Raw Material, said:“Scottish based independent production company, Raw Material are delighted to be touring their hit, feel-good musical, The Stamping Ground, across Scotland in 2023.
“Audiences in the highlands, both those new to Runrig and lifelong fans of the band united in their appreciation with standing ovations when the show premiered at Eden Court in Summer 2022.
“If you are a fan of musicals, a fan of live theatre or just looking for a great night out then this is definitely one not to miss!”
Calum MacDonald and Rory MacDonald of Runrig said:“It is so good to see that The Stamping Ground is not only returning to Eden Court but going on a Nationwide Tour.
“There has been such a positive reaction from fans and public alike, with still so many that have not had the opportunity to see it first time around.”
PDSA is calling on kind hearted people who want to make a difference in the local community
The UK’s leading vet charity, PDSA, is calling on kind hearted people who want to make a difference in the local community to support its life-saving work by offering a helping hand at its South Bridge shop in Edinburgh.
The shop, located at 88-89 South Bridge, helps to fund vital veterinary work across PDSA’s 48 Pet Hospitals – including Edinburghl Pet Hospital – which cares for thousands of pets every year.
Shop Manager Ingrid Neill is urgently appealing for locals to volunteer some time at the store: “The success of PDSA charity shops is all down to our amazing team of volunteers,” Ingrid explains. “We urgently need help from more local people to continue the life-changing work we do every day in our Pet Hospitals.”
One of more than 100 PDSA shops in the UK, the South Bridge team plays a pivotal role in helping to fund the charity’s 48 Pet Hospitals, including the Edinburgh Pet Hospital, which provides a lifeline to local pet owners who would otherwise struggle to afford veterinary treatment if their pet unexpectedly becomes ill or gets injured.
In 2022, the Edinburgh Pet Hospital carried out more than 18,000 consultations, 13,000 of which were face-to-face. The hospital costs more than £1.3 million a year to run.
“Volunteering for PDSA is not only rewarding, knowing you’ll be helping a brilliant cause, but it is also fun – you’ll get to meet new people and make some friends along the way in a warm and supportive environment” Ingrid adds.
““It also looks great on your CV and you’ll receive full training so no previous retail experience is required and we’ll reimburse your travel expenses so you’re not out of pocket.
“If you are an animal-lover who is aged 18 or over and would like to play a part in helping pets in need, we’d love to hear from you!”
There is a network of more than 3,000 devoted PDSA volunteers across the UK who save the charity over £4 million a year by dedicating their time to helping out.
Volunteers can choose to spend as much or as little of their spare time to helping out as there is no minimum time commitment.
To find out more please contact Ingrid on 0131 2264925 or pop into the shop.
A scheme aimed at boosting trade in town and city centres is going digital.
Scotland Loves Local (SLL) gift cards can be loaded with credit and used in participating shops and businesses within users’ local council area.
Now the Scottish Government is investing £250,000 to enable the cards to operate digitally via devices such as mobile phones.
By going digital, the cards can be used by businesses to reward loyal customers and encourage repeat custom. The new system may also be made compatible with transport providers’ ticketing systems, allowing relatives or businesses to gift train and bus fares into town centres for shopping trips.
Cards are currently utilised by more than 20 councils – including six which have used them to distribute more than £13 million of Scottish Government Coronavirus (Covid-19) economic recovery funding to lower income households.
Visiting Barrhead, where the SLL cards have helped boost business in the town centre, Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur said: “Going digital is an important step forward for the SLL gift card.
“The scheme has already delivered millions of pounds of extra spending to help businesses recover from the pandemic and by increasing their useability I am sure even more people will be encouraged to shop locally.
“The cards have made a real difference in places like Glasgow, where thousands of cards have been used to access Scottish Government funding for economic recovery.
“They represent a step towards the creation of local currencies to be invested and retained within areas. Digitalisation will accelerate that process and help support fairer and more prosperous local economies.”
Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) delivers the SLL initiative – which includes the gift card – encouraging people to support their communities by spending locally.
Interim Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “The Scotland Loves Local campaign is a force for good – galvanising communities to support local people and businesses at times when they have never needed that more.
“The need for us all to think, choose and spend locally is critical, not only in our ongoing recovery from the impact of Covid-19 on businesses, but in helping us all through the cost of living crisis and in responding to the climate emergency.
“Continued support from the Scottish Government allows businesses and communities to innovate, invest and embrace opportunity, building better, stronger places.”
Give a man a chicken and he’ll eat for a day, give a chicken a gun and he’ll be the most ‘impeckable’ gunslinger this side of Texas.
Touring Scotland, Spring 2023.
Adrenalism Theatre are clucking proud to present the first full tour of their chicken western The Good, The Bad and The Poultry.
Taking in venues across Scotland from 18 March – 7 May, this non-verbal exploration of fear sees two cowboy chickens, a turkey and ‘Hennio Morricone’ (the live poultry band) explore being brave in the face of danger.
The Good, The Bad and The Poultry is a free, outdoor performance for cowboys of all ages. “The Good” and “The Bad” chicken, along with the dim-witted turkey, find themselves in a typical Western Showdown, over the highly coveted big golden egg. Tensions rise, with all the tropes of your favourite western from a fast-paced chase to a tense standoff, and a musical shootout with everyone’s weapon of choice – handbells. Will our poultry find a way to coop-erate?
Once the precious big golden egg is laid in the perfect place, the peaceful coop suddenly becomes a saloon with a musical barman, seed shots and classic Wild-West interior.
This epic western will roll into town in Giffnock, Fife, Dunoon, Irvine, Arran, Aberdeen, Wick, Edinburgh, Cumbrae, Mull, Hawick, Duns and St Andrews.
Wrap around activities for families will see little cowboys making their own wanted poster, going on egg hunts and more – a whole day of eggcellent fun for all!
The Good, The Bad and the Poultry is an outdoor, walkabout performance suitable for all ages. A fun, silly show featuring audience participation for all of the family.
Adrenalism is a recipient of the Creative Scotland Open Project Fund.
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh was officially opened yesterday by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson. The event marks a significant milestone for the hotel which opened its doors in June 2022 and has since been enjoying tremendous success.
Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, the final phase of the launch will see the opening of the hotel’s 222 Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites as well as all dining outlets including, the hotel’s flagship restaurant, Commons Club, which features a lively bar and a locally-inspired menu, Eve, an all-day dining space as well as Greyfriars Hall, a 19th century church that has been beautifully restored and repurposed as a special event venue and an exclusive rooftop terrace with unobstructed Edinburgh Castle views.
Since opening its doors, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh has quickly become one of the city’s most sought-after destinations for both locals and visitors alike.
The hotel’s prime location, combined with its exceptional service and unique design, has earned it numerous accolades, including being named one of the “Best New Hotels in the World” by Travel + Leisure and voted one of the “Best Hotels to Stay in Edinburgh for 2023” by Conde Nast Traveller.
Virgin Group Founder, Sir Richard Branson, said:“I am thrilled to mark the grand opening of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh – the first Virgin Hotels property to launch in Europe – in this most wonderful city.
“This is an incredible hotel that truly embodies the spirit of both the Virgin brand and the quirks and traits of Edinburgh’s beautiful Old Town – a place where people can come together to have fun, relax and enjoy all that this wonderful city has to offer.”
To mark the occasion an exclusive musical performance from Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo piper, Louise Marshall, played a selection of traditional Scottish songs on the hotel’s roof terrace against the impressive backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Virgin Hotels CEO, James Bermingham, said:“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved with Virgin Hotels Edinburgh.
“From the beginning, we set out to create a hotel that would be unlike anything else in the city – a place where locals and guests could come and feel welcome and inspired, and where they could experience the best of Edinburgh.
“We’re thrilled to see the hotel officially open and thriving, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests in the years to come.”
