The new Maybury Primary School was officially opened at a special ceremony by Education, Children and Families Convenor, Cllr James Dalgleish.
The school in the west of Edinburgh opened its doors to its first P1 pupils in January 2025 and has capacity for up to 630 school-aged learners and 124 children in its early learning and childcare setting.
The new primary school is the first in Edinburgh to share a campus with a medical centre, Barclay Medical Practice, as part of Maybury Community Hub. It has been delivered for the Council by Morrison Construction and designed by Architype to Passivhaus standards.
With sustainability, inclusivity, and flexibility at its core, Maybury Primary School supports The City of Edinburgh Council’s 2030 net-zero goals by significantly reducing the building’s energy consumption.
The school incorporates modern, flexible, and creative learning spaces with open-plan and agile classrooms, double height atrium voids featuring artwork and facilities that can be shared with the community such as the sports hall and activity studios.
The new primary school is part of the ‘Maybury Community Hub’ which will maximise the use of its buildings, allowing local residents to access services close to where they live in line with the ’20 minute neighbourhood’ strategy.
Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said:“It’s important that all our schools and early years settings offer the best possible learning environment for our children and young people, and the new Maybury primary school has been designed with learners’ needs at its heart.
“The building itself is designed to be fit for the future, with innovative and sustainable design features that meet the needs of pupils and staff, offers facilities that benefit the wider community and supports our net-zero commitment.
“It is a pleasure to officially ‘open’ the school and to see pupils and school staff really making the most of the school environment.”
Susan Imrie, Head Teacher at Maybury Primary School, said: ““It has been fantastic to see our pupils and staff alike settling in and enjoying the new state of the art school environment.
“The new building sets us up to provide high quality teaching and enriching school experience for all our learners.”
David Wilson, Operations Director for Morrison Construction’s Building Central business, commented:“We are proud to have delivered Maybury Primary School in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council.
“Designed to Passivhaus standards, the school combines sustainability with innovative learning spaces that will benefit both pupils and the wider community for generations to come, and we are delighted to see the school already making such a positive impact.”
Policing plans are in place this weekend for planned protests and as part of this, we would like to outline our approach and explain what people can expect from us.
The position on how protests are handled by policing in Scotland has not changed.
Campaigning and demonstration are a legitimate, necessary and vital part of life. We want to protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest and counter protest. Every week we have Police Liaison Teams who work with various protest groups across Scotland who engage with us, and we help them understand protest activity that can be done within the law. Engagement and communication is crucial.
We are proud of our approach and feel it’s important to be clear on what becomes unlawful behaviour.
Abusive, threatening behaviour or activity intended to disrupt an event that poses a risk to safety is not legitimate protest.
There has been recent focus on the proscription of Palestine Action Group as a terrorist group under the Terrorism Act.
The decision to proscribe a group is a matter for UK Government. The role of policing is to enforce the law.
In Scotland, we do this in a proportionate way in conjunction with advice from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) who oversee prosecutions in this country. The legal system in Scotland is unique.
We know there are strong feelings towards the situation in Palestine and people continue to express their views about that through protest and demonstrations without breaking counter terrorism laws.
The key difference is showing support for Palestine Action Group as it is an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 to be a member of a proscribed organisation or to invite or express support for them.
This includes wearing clothing or carrying any item in public in such a way as to arouse suspicion that they are a member of, or a supporter of, a proscribed organisation.
People should understand this and recognise our responsibility to uphold the law. Any use of enforcement powers by officers will be proportionate and in line with Uk legislation and guidance from COPFS. Every situation is unique and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Policing in Scotland has strong relationships with the public and we are grateful for the ongoing support of our communities.
Police are appealing for information and witnesses, following the serious assault of a cyclist on Blackhall Cycle Path, near to Davidson Mains.
The incident took place around 6.05pm on Tuesday, 2 September, 2025. The cyclist, a 46-year-old man, was cycling away from the Drylaw area on his green vintage-style Dutch bike.
The suspect was riding an offroad dirt bike and is described as white, around 5ft 10 and slim build, but their gender is unknown. They were wearing a black full-face helmet and black puffer jacket.
Detective Sergeant Rob Finch said: “We are appealing for anyone who was in the area or witnessed this attack to please come forward.
“Enquiries have established that two members of the public provided aid to the victim, so would ask them to contact police as soon as possible.
“Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident 1961 of 3 September, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”
Livingston Designer Outlet, Scotland’s largest designer outlet, is thrilled to announce that bold new culinary destination, Hamilton & Brown, will be arriving at the centre this autumn. Set to tantalise the tastebuds of West Lothian, the new delicatessen and tasting bar will bring an eclectic range of Scotland’s finest producers to residents and visitors alike.
Born from the rich heritage of David Stein Butchers and inspired by a legacy of over 40 years in premium Scottish meat and dining, Hamilton & Brown will offer an elevated gastronomic experience.
From hand-selected artisan cheeses to locally sourced wines and rare single malts, every element will be curated with precision and passion. Guests will be able to dine-in at a stunning tasting counter designed to bring people closer to the craft, whether indulging in a perfectly paired cheese and wine board, or a dram of whisky with expertly carved meats.
For the meat connoisseur, a dedicated rotisserie and deli-style counter will serve succulent roasted chicken, slow-cooked pork, and gourmet cuts. All will be prepared with the same care and expertise that has defined David Stein’s award-winning reputation for decades, promising depth, flavour, and perfection.
For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert counter is a showstopper overflowing with decadent patisserie creations, elegant tarts, rich cakes, and irresistible handmade treats. This is not just another food hall it’s a destination!
The arrival of Hamilton & Brown follows the success of Cafebar 1962, also part of the David Stein group, which opened at the centre last summer and has proven to be a hit with visitors seeking a leisurely lunch or delicious dinner or quality cocktails and entertainment.
David Stein, founder of Hamilton & Brown, said: “With the success of our hospitality ventures, including five unique restaurant experiences across Scotland and the North of England, launching at Livingston Designer Outlet was a natural next step.
“This is a tribute to our roots in West Lothian, but also a bold step into the future of Scottish food culture.”
Michelle Whitelaw, Centre Director at Livingston Designer Outlet commented: “We are delighted to be welcoming another David Stein opening to Livingston Designer Outlet. Hamilton & Brown will bring a truly exciting new gastronomic offering to our visitors.
“It is also a wonderful opportunity to support Scottish produce, which we know is important to the local community. We look forward to seeing the doors open and to enjoying a taste of Hamilton & Brown for ourselves!”
For all the information on Livingston Designer Outlet, please visit the website here:
Unprecedented UK defence sector growth with more than £1.4 billion in foreign direct investment committed in just 12 months.
More than 1,700 new jobs being created across the UK, delivering on this Government’s Plan for Change.
Ministers saw British innovation and investment in action with visits to Greenford and Farringdon.
More than 1,700 new jobs are being created as the UK’s defence sector drives unprecedented growth across the country, following at least £1.4 billion foreign direct investment being announced since July 2024.
This success reflects the Government’s commitment to making defence an engine for economic growth across the UK. The increase in annual foreign direct investment from international companies demonstrates the confidence that companies feel to invest in the UK, alongside the Government’s historic uplift in defence spending, providing a significant boost to the UK economy and showing more countries are choosing to invest in facilities in Britain.
The increased investment is supporting the UK’s defence industrial base, with thousands of new jobs created and supported across the country, including manufacturing, engineering, and business service roles. Recent investments include an expanded drone manufacturing facility in Hampshire, shipbuilding secured in Belfast, and the investment in artillery systems manufacture in Telford.
The soon to be published Defence Industrial Strategy will set out how the UK will further strengthen its defence industrial base and supply chains, enhance sovereign capabilities, and position Britain as a global leader in defence technology whilst creating high-skilled jobs and driving economic growth across the country.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP, said: “This record new investment is a confirmed vote of confidence in Britain.
“In a new era for defence, I am backing British industry, British innovators and British jobs.
“A strong defence industrial base helps keep Britain safe and makes defence an engine for growth.”
Ministers showcased this momentum yesterday with visits highlighting new British defence innovation sites.
The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, opened Ultra Maritime’s new £20 million manufacturing facility in Greenford, London, which will employ 100 staff including 35 new manufacturing and testing roles focused on producing cutting-edge sonobuoys for anti-submarine warfare systems.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, said: “Ultra Maritime’s innovative work supports the Royal Navy to help keep the UK safe, whilst backing dozens of skilled manufacturing jobs.
“By deepening their investment in state-of-the-art facilities, it is another demonstration of the confidence defence firms have in growing their companies in the UK.”
The Defence Industrial Strategy will ensure we continue to attract world-class companies to the UK, creating high-skilled jobs and cementing Britain’s position as a global defence technology leader.
The Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, opened Arondite’s new Farringdon office, celebrating a British defence-tech company building AI software to connect autonomous systems. Veteran-founded Arondite announced a £100 million investment in advanced R&D, expanding its UK footprint and creating 100 new high-skilled jobs.
Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, said: “Arondite’s expansion represents exactly the kind of British innovation and entrepreneurship that exemplifies Defence as an engine for growth – combining cutting-edge AI technology with job creation and sovereign capability development.
“As outlined in the SDR, we are creating a new partnership with business and making it easier for SMEs to do business with Defence. Through our Defence Industrial Strategy, we’re backing brilliant British companies like veteran-founded Arondite to scale up, create careers, and keep our nation secure in an increasingly complex world.”
These developments build on the Government’s delivery of the Strategic Defence Review, which provided the strategic framework for strengthening Britain’s defence capabilities to meet the new era of threat, whilst harnessing the Prime Minister’s historic defence investment to create jobs and opportunity in communities nationwide.
STARMER RESHUFFLES CABINET FOLLOWING RAYNER RESIGNATION
LABOUR leader Sir Keir Starmer has sacked his Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray.
The Edinburgh South MP was very much a Starmer loyalist and the sacking has come as a major surprise.
Labour peer Baron (George) Foulkes of Cumnock said on X: “If it is true that @IanMurrayMP has been sacked as Secretary of State for Scotland it is a disgraceful decision.
“He held the fort well as Shadow Secretary through the lean years & has been a brilliant Secretary of State.”
New partnership set to change lives and help the planet
MAN v FAT Football has embarked on an exciting new partnership, having teamed up with Utilita Energy’s Football Rebooted campaign – the beautiful game’s biggest ever environmental movement.
Football Rebooted launched in May 2021 after findings from a Utilita-commissioned report into the combined impact of the pandemic and the cost-of-living-crisis on grassroots football.
The response from fans was immediate and within the first few weeks, thousands of pre-loved football boot donations had flooded in, not only reducing potential landfill but also making a difference to the lives of children and adults in the UK.
MAN v FAT, the UK’s leading men’s weight loss programme, guides over 8,000 men every week on their wellbeing journey – with MAN v FAT Edinburgh meeting up on Thursdays at 6:30pm at Powerleague Portobello.
Having joined forces with Football Rebooted, the scheme will not only be saving families a few quid but will be reinforcing the importance of upcycling and reusing items that still have a lot of life left in them.
Pro-pocket, pro-planet
Sam Cook, Utilita’s Partnerships Marketing Manager, commented on the environmental impact of rehoming boots: “Since its launch in 2021, the Football Rebooted campaign has collected and reallocated thousands of quality football boots, saving hard-pressed families a small fortune and helping to reduce landfill and carbon emissions.
“To put the environmental benefits into context, our aim is to prevent at least a million pairs of boots from ending up in landfill and saving 136,000 tonnes of carbon – the same as taking 7,000 cars off the road for a year.”
Chris Hawkins, Utilita’s West Bromwich Energy Hub Supervisor, helped to instigate the partnership, having recently joined the MAN v FAT Dudley League in May 2025. Chris said: “Given the financial hardship that families are facing, we understand that it may be challenging for people to be able to take part in team sports.
“The 2025 MAN v FAT National Football Tournament, held at the Lilleshall National Centre, provided a perfect stage to launch the partnership and I was delighted to take along the Football Rebooted collection boxes.
“As a regular MAN v FAT Football competitor, I consider the partnership to be a natural fit as we share so many goals to help adults and youngsters be active, participate and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of team sport.”
Community focus
Matt Hudson, Associate Director of Marketing and Partnerships at MAN v FAT Football, commented on the why the weight-loss initiative is supporting the campaign: “The Football Rebooted scheme delivers an extremely fun and unique claim system that avoids any family needing to feel embarrassed at taking second-hand items.
“If you have any spare or unused football boots, please consider donating and helping us make football accessible to everyone in the local community!
“We’d like to thank our players and their supporters for getting behind the Football Rebooted scheme, which plays a vital role in giving both children and adults the opportunity to take advantage of the physical, mental, and social benefits of playing a sport.”
How can you get involved?
Anyone with a spare pair of football boots (or astroturf boots) should simply give them a clean and drop them off at their local Football Rebooted collection point.
Boots can also be donated at the Edinburgh Utilita Energy Hub – located at 41 Newkirkgate in Leith – keeping them in the local eco-system to ensure they’re re-used.
Anyone requiring football boots, including individuals and families, can simply reach out to their local collection point to check what sizes are available before coming to collect them.
Schools and clubs in need of football boots can also submit their kit requirements via the Football Rebooted website.
To get a FREE Football Rebooted box and start collecting and redistributing boots within your sports club, school or local community, visit:
As thousands of parents share back-to-school snaps of their children, pregnancy research charity Tommy’s is highlighting the heartbreak of ‘missing milestones’ for those who live with the shadow of baby loss.
Tommy’s supports families affected by pregnancy complications and loss, and its groundbreaking research has helped many bereaved parents go on to bring home a baby after loss.
Its new campaign features the image of a shadow on a front door, in memory of children who are not here to start the school year.
Tommy’s Ambassador Amanda Holden is among those sharing the image on social media.
Amanda’s son, Theo, was stillborn in 2011 when she was 28 weeks pregnant. She has previously marked on social media what would have been his milestone moments, including a tribute last year which said: “You would have become a teenager today”.
Kath Abrahams, Chief Executive of Tommy’s, said: “The start of a new school year is a proud milestone for so many families, and celebrated quite rightly with shared photos and stories.
“But it’s important to remember that for those affected by pregnancy or baby loss – including parents, grandparents and siblings – this time of year can be intensely difficult. There is a gap that can never be filled.
“Our research into pregnancy complications and loss is already saving babies’ lives but our goal is to make pregnancy and birth safe for everyone, so that more families are spared the lifelong sadness of asking ‘what if?’
In a report published earlier this year, the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit estimated that at least 2,500 fewer babies would have been lost since 2018 if the government had achieved its ambition of halving the 2010 rates of stillbirth, neonatal and maternal deaths in England.
That equates to around 100 primary school classrooms left unfilled in England since 2018 because of pregnancy losses that would not have happened if targets had been met.
Across the UK, half of all adults have either experienced pregnancy or baby loss themselves or know someone who has.
It takes a village to raise a child, and we appreciate support from every part of our community – individuals, companies, local clubs & groups, workplace teams, faith groups, schools and of course the funding bodies who help us keep the lights on.
Great news – we’ve been awarded multi-year funding from the