With only one week left to register to vote in the Scottish Parliament election, the Electoral Commission is urging people to register before the deadline at 11.59pm on Monday 20 April.
Registering takes minutes and can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. Voters who are already registered will have received a poll card, which tells them where and when to vote.
Electoral Commission research shows that young people, students and those who have recently moved are less likely to be registered to vote. Anyone previously on the register who has recently moved home or whose details have changed will need to register to vote again.
Those who do not have a fixed address, whether due to homelessness, being a part of the Gypsy or Traveller community, or because they are, or have been, in care, can still register to vote using a declaration of local connection.
Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: “On Thursday 7 May, people across Scotland will head to the polls to have their say on the issues important to their daily lives. If you’ve recently moved, or you’re a student living away from home, it’s especially important to check you’re registered and you can do that quickly and easily at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
“If you do not have a fixed address to register to vote at, you can still take part by registering through a declaration of local connection.
For this election, eligibility for care experienced young people has been extended up to the age of 21, from 16, so we’d encourage those who need to make use of this option to do so.
“Importantly, voter ID is not required for the Scottish Parliament election. If you’re to vote, all you need to do on the day is turn up and have your say.”
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “While pump prices have technically risen for a record 43 straight days, the increases have almost ground to a halt.
“The average price of petrol now stands at 158.27p, only having gone up a quarter of a penny since reaching 158.03p on Thursday. Similarly, diesel is now at an average of 191.5p, having first climbed to 191.11p on Thursday too.
“With dated Brent crude under $100 a barrel for the last three trading days, there’s now scope to see prices finally starting to go the other way.
“But, as always, it’s a highly volatile situation with much depending on what happens with the Strait of Hormuz. And, if the oil price was to go back up again this week, any hopes of slight forecourt reductions will inevitably disappear.”
A patient who feels his life was saved by a simple bowel screening test is encouraging people to act early – by completing their screening test or contacting their GP if they notice symptoms.
Colin Mearns, a photographer from Glasgow, shared his experience after sending away his screening sample led to the early discovery of bowel cancer.
Like thousands of people across Scotland, Colin received a bowel screening test through the post. Everyone aged 50 to 74 is invited to take part every two years, and the test takes just a couple of minutes to complete and return.
For Colin, those few minutes were life‑changing. Because his cancer was found early, he was able to have surgery at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital to remove the affected part of his bowel, and he is now cancer free.
“I had no idea anything was wrong,” Colin said. “If I hadn’t done the test and sent it back quickly, my cancer might not have been picked up until much later.
“Hearing the word ‘cancer’ was frightening but knowing it had been caught early made all the difference. Because of that early diagnosis and treatment, I can now look forward to the future.”
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Scotland, with around 4,000 people diagnosed each year, according to Public Health Scotland. However, it is also one of the most treatable cancers when found early. When bowel cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, nine in ten people survive.
This April, during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, people are being urged to be aware of the symptoms and to seek advice as soon as possible if they notice changes.
Bowel cancer can affect anyone, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity or where they live. Symptoms can include bleeding from your bottom, blood in your poo, changes in bowel habits such as going more or less often or having diarrhoea or constipation that comes and goes, unexplained weight loss, feeling very tired all the time, or pain or a lump in your tummy.
Having these symptoms does not always mean you have bowel cancer, but it is still important to find out what is causing them. Not everyone will have all the symptoms, and they may appear at different times. Even if you have only one symptom, your GP will want to see you.
Dr Alison Potts, Bowel Screening Lead for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said early action saves lives.
“We know that talking about poo or bowel habits can feel embarrassing, but GPs are used to having these conversations every day,” she said. “If you’ve noticed any changes or have symptoms that concern you, please make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can.
“When bowel cancer is detected early, it is highly treatable and, in the vast majority of cases, curable. The earlier it is diagnosed, the more straightforward treatment is likely to be.”
She also stressed that people should not wait for their next screening invitation if they have symptoms. “Your GP may ask you to complete an at‑home test to help decide whether further checks are needed. Acting early gives everyone the best possible chance of an early diagnosis.”
Public Health Scotland data shows that around two‑thirds of people who are sent a bowel screening test complete it and return it.
“People like Colin show just how powerful this simple test can be,” Dr Potts added. “Even if you’ve put it off before, taking a few minutes to complete it when it arrives could save your life.”
Returning a screening test does not usually lead to further procedures. Only around 2–3 per cent of people are asked to have a colonoscopy, and if cancer is found at that stage, it is often early enough that surgery alone can remove it.
For more information about bowel screening or to order a replacement test kit, visit NHS Inform or call the Scottish Bowel Screening Centre on 0800 0121 833.
Craigroyston are setting up a sessions for our youngest players “Craigy’s Little kickers” we’re looking for young boys and girls to come along and kick start there Craigy career early before soccer school. Boys and girls aged between 3-5 years old.
SFA qualified coach
Sports first aid trained.
Sessions will be based on nothing more than fun, making friends and football.
First session Saturday 2nd May
Saturday afternoons 1-2pm old cattle track lane (Marine drive) EH4 5JT
The first Kick can lead to a dream.
Get involved. Please contact Anthony on 07708293555
Megan Boxall is aiming to become the fastest woman to run the entire coastline of Britain and is raising funds for Samaritans, a charity close to her heart.
Megan, who has been running a marathon almost every day since she set off from Suffolk on the 18th October, made it to Edinburgh on Saturday (11th April).
Since arriving in Scotland on the 19th January, Megan has run the length of the West coast of mainland Scotland, and is now on the home straight having run back down the East coast. She aims to have completed the entirety of the challenge by the 18th May, making her the fastest woman to do so.
In taking on this marathon challenge, Megan combines endurance sport with open conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. Not only has Megan raised £30,000 for the suicide prevention charity, but she is also spreading a message of resilience and hope, as well as raising awareness of mental health and help-seeking in rural and coastal communities.
In 2024, Megan was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and faced struggles with her mental health. She made five calls to Samaritans that year which helped her through some of her most difficult moments.
Megan spoke about how important it was for her to have the live-saving opportunity to talk to a Samaritan about how she felt. She said: “Every 90 minutes someone dies by suicide in the UK.
“Samaritans is an amazing charity which is helping to prevent that number from becoming much higher. Its volunteers pick up the phone to someone in need once every ten seconds.
“In 2024, I made five calls to the charity (116 123). Their volunteers were there for me when the pain in my brain was so intense I couldn’t pick myself up off the floor.
“I only wish I had picked up the phone to them sooner.”
Megan follows in her late uncle’s footsteps, who walked the route aged 33 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
Running 200 marathons in 200 days is no mean feat, and a grueling task even in the brightest of weather. The weather in Scotland can offer little encouragement during the early months of the year, but something which has brightened up each daily marathon for Megan has been the people of Scotland that have cheered her on so far.
Megan said: “I have really had some amazing experiences in Scotland so far. Overall, I have been blown away by the Scottish welcome. It really has been so uplifting and what Run Britain is all about.
“I hope that by talking more about my experiences with Samaritans and raising some money while I circle the country, I can help anyone who might be struggling.”
Running and being in nature alongside her dog, adopted from Dog’s Trust in 2022, helped Megan to find a way to cope and carry on. Megan hopes that her run will help raise awareness of Samaritans for anyone struggling with their mental health, as well as the benefits of spending time in nature enjoying the beauty of the coastline.
Megan’s dog, Shadow, accompanies her on some parts of her journey wearing her PitPat GPS tracker to stay safe and track her miles.
Megan started her 5,240-mile (8,433km) journey at Sizewell Beach in Suffolk on the 18th October, and hopes to finish at the same place in May.
Running groups and clubs are invited to join Megan on sections of her journey and can sign-up here.
You can donate to Megan’s fundraiser through her JustGiving page.
Following the global excitement surrounding Artemis II, and the beautiful new images of the Moon, Sharman was in conversation with former BBC presenter Dr Hermione Cockburn last night to consider how exploring space can help us to overcome some of the challenges we face on Earth, to improve medical treatment on Earth and how human beings reflect on life.
Helen Sharman CMG OBE, the first British astronaut, said: “Space exploration is not just history. It is happening now.
“With Artemis II, humans are travelling back to the Moon, testing the technology and teamwork taking us further into space. For audiences at the Edinburgh Science Festival and everyone around the world, we see how curiosity, science and collaboration can turn bold ideas into reality.
“I hope the next generation of explorers, engineers and scientists will be inspired by watching humanity take giant steps towards the future”.
Edinburgh Science Festival continues until 19 April with the prestigious Edinburgh Medal ceremony taking place today – Monday 13 April – and Science Festival Favourites opening today as well.
Join us for an inspiring evening of music, dance, and culture at Performing for Peace — a special charity concert bringing people together in support of for two very worthwhile causes.
This is more than a concert.
Every ticket you purchase is a direct contribution to real people, real families, and real lives.
Event Details
Inverleith St Serf’s Church, Ferry Road, Edinburgh
15 May 2026
Doors open: 7:00 PM | Concert starts: 7:30 PM
Tickets: £15
What to Expect
• Live music performances
• Dance showcases
• Cultural programme
• A warm and welcoming atmosphere
• A chance to be part of something that matters
Where Your Support Goes
All proceeds from the event will support:
• Children of Heroes (Ukraine) — helping children who have lost one or both parents due to the war. Your support provides care, stability, and future opportunities.
• Edinburgh Direct Aid — delivering humanitarian aid directly to communities affected by crisis, ensuring help reaches those who need it most.
Couples are increasingly swapping traditional all-day weddings for shorter evening events, with venues reporting a rise in twilight ceremonies and reception-only celebrations as couples rethink guest lists, budgets and wedding traditions.
Wedding specialists at Deer Park Golf & Country Club in Livingston say the shift reflects changing priorities among couples planning their big day, with many choosing to structure their wedding day around moments that feel more personal, while managing rising costs.
A twilight wedding typically features a late afternoon or early evening ceremony, usually between 4pm and 6pm, followed immediately by an evening reception. The format omits the traditional sit-down wedding meal in favour of more time spent with guests on the dancefloor. Many couples are also drawn to twilight celebrations for the atmospheric and romantic photoshoots at dusk.
This trend is something Deer Park’s events team say they are seeing first-hand, with more couples opting for later ceremonies and reception-led celebrations. This shift towards more flexible formats is reflected in wider industry data, with the Bridebook 2026 UK Wedding Report showing couples are inviting 11% fewer guests than in 2024, while one in eight did not have their legal ceremony on the day, instead choosing to separate the legal process from the celebration itself.
Couples are also becoming more flexible around when they get married. The same report found that just 47% of weddings now take place on a Saturday, the lowest ever on record, while younger couples in particular are picking midweek weddings as a way to manage costs. One in three Gen Z couples now choose to marry between Monday and Thursday instead.
Natasha McAllister is General Manager at Deer Park Golf & Country Club, said: “We’re seeing more couples move away from the idea that their celebration has to follow a set formula.
“Twilight ceremonies allow them to concentrate on the atmosphere and the time spent celebrating with their guests, and starting later in the day often makes planning feel more relaxed and manageable while still creating a really special occasion.”
The trend also reflects couples placing greater emphasis on celebrations that feel authentic to them rather than following long-standing expectations. Some couples are choosing smaller guest lists, while others are holding their legal ceremony separately, preferring to host guests only for the reception portion of their nuptials.
The venue’s events team say enquiries for later ceremonies and reception-only events have grown steadily, with many couples planning their weddings on shorter timeframes than the traditional two-year lead-in.
They expect the trend to remain strong throughout 2026 as they continue to take bookings for the rest of the year and into 2027, with more couples looking for flexible and unique ways to celebrate whilst being mindful of the economic impact of their big day and placing less importance on traditional wedding formats.
Chiara Woodhead and Paul Leven recently held their wedding at Deer Park in a twilight format and praised it for offering the perfect balance between an intimate ceremony and a larger celebration.
Newlywed Chiara (top) said:“We decided to have a twilight wedding as we wanted to keep the ceremony intimate but also celebrate with our family and friends, so this was great and kept the costs down too.
“Despite it not being the traditional wedding, we didn’t miss out on anything such as food, speeches and first dance, and we had so many compliments from our guests as it wasn’t an extremely long day and everyone just had fun with no stress or waiting around.”
Deer Park Golf & Country Club is West Lothian’s premier golf and leisure destination with four function suites that can cater any celebration from 20 to 200 guests.
The venue offers tailored wedding packages, in-house catering, and an experienced team to guide couples throughout their planning process. For more information visit deerpark.co.uk
A man has been arrested and charged in connection with an ongoing operation to tackle retail crime.
This operation forms part of Operation Dynos, with officers gathering information over the last few months. Following enquiries, officers believe that vulnerable young people are being targeted to steal alcohol from stores across the west of Scotland.
On Friday (10 April, 2026), officers arrested and charged a 42-year-old man in connection with human trafficking and exploitation offences. He is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court tomorrow – Monday, 13 April, 2026.
Constable Sharon McDermott said: “We remain committed to tackling retail crime, while at the same time safeguarding young people from harm and coercion into criminal behaviour.
“We continue to gather evidence and utilise all resources at our disposal to tackle this type of crime.”
FREE FOOTBALL 
Inverleith St Serf’s Church, Ferry Road, Edinburgh
15 May 2026
Doors open: 7:00 PM | Concert starts: 7:30 PM
Tickets: £15
