Best in Show for Kevock Garden Plants

Graham Gunn, Manager of Kevock Garden Plants, near Edinburgh, with the trophy for Best in Show for horticultural displays at this week’s Harrogate Spring Flower Show (26 – 29 April 2018).

Lasswade nursery, Kevock Garden Plants, has won Best in Show for horticultural plant nursery displays at this week’s prestigious Harrogate Spring Flower Show. Top honours in the 2018 Harrogate Spring Flower Show Gardens has gone to Thirsk-based designers, Colour Your Garden. Continue reading Best in Show for Kevock Garden Plants

Briggs pledges support for Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign

MS Society Scotland were in the Scottish Parliament during Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week (23 – 29 April) to raise awareness of the important role research plays in the lives of people affected by MS. Continue reading Briggs pledges support for Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign

The UK Government delivers for Scottish businesses, says the UK Government’s Scotland Office

The Scottish Business Taskforce of economic and business leaders came together on Friday to discuss ways to support some of Scotland’s most important sectors. The taskforce, announced by Scottish Secretary David Mundell last year, aims to exert a positive influence on the development of UK Government policy and in turn, advance Scotland’s interests. Continue reading The UK Government delivers for Scottish businesses, says the UK Government’s Scotland Office

City of Superheroes: Capital businesses join forces for Avengers opening weekend

To celebrate Edinburgh’s role in the most hotly anticipated film of the year, Avengers: Infinity War, businesses around the city are flexing their superpowers to get people assembling in the capital for the film opening.

This weekend, Scotland’s capital sees over forty businesses join forces to celebrate the movie release and transform Edinburgh into the City of Superheroes.  Marvel fans can revel in a programme of events, discounts and special offers that will see your superhero squad enjoy everything from exclusive walking tours of the filming locations and special themed menus to spotting caped crusaders at every corner and even free travel for little superheroes in costume on Lothian Buses.

The super celebration is being led by Film Edinburgh, the organisation that facilitates film productions in the city, which sits within Marketing Edinburgh.

Rosie Ellison, Head of Film Edinburgh, said: “It’s been a year since Edinburgh’s streets were buzzing with A-list stars and Hollywood crew for the biggest production in the city to date, and we’re so excited for the film to finally hit the big screen.

“In celebration of the capital’s heroic role in the film, we’re transforming Edinburgh into the City of Superheroes this weekend. Across the city, businesses will be putting their own twist on the superhero franchise with everything from themed cocktails to caped mannequins and Marvel-ous lunch offers.

“Given that Edinburgh was the only location used during filming, we’re encouraging fans to come to the City of Superheroes to get the ultimate superhero experience. The weekend will be a great way to keep the excitement of the movie alive, even after you step out of the cinema screen.”

John Donnelly, Head of Marketing Edinburgh, said: “The City of Superheroes weekend is our way of celebrating Edinburgh’s role in the film and is another example of local businesses joining forces to create marvelling experiences for residents and visitors.

“The blockbuster third instalment of the Avengers franchise was filmed in Edinburgh for seven weeks in the Spring of 2017, and we’re honoured to be the only location outside of the Hollywood studio. The production saw the city’s historic Old Town transform with shop fronts altered and set props, including bus shelters and street lights, take position. We had over 400 crew members working on the shoot through the night with local businesses, residents and the council working collaboratively to make it happen.”

Joe Russo, Director of Avengers: Infinity War commented on his experience filming in Edinburgh during a special screening he held for local fans in Edinburgh earlier this month. He said: “I love this city, I’ve spent a lot of time here, it’s beautiful.

“I’m surprised it hasn’t been on film more, shocked frankly, because it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world and at night it can take on a gothic feel. And we had a sequence we wanted with heightened tension and it was a perfect place to shoot that scene.”

Full details of what you can get up to during the City of Superheroes weekend can be found online at www.edinburgh.org/cityofsuperheroes. A location map that will help fans navigate their way around the city can be downloaded for free on the website.

City-of-Superheroes-Map-8-Final   

Keep up-to-date with the City of Superheroes on social with the hashtag #CityofSuperheroes.

Participating members:

 

  1. AGA Edinburgh, 8-9 Drumsheugh Place, EH3 7PT
  2. Bar Salsa, 3 Cowgatehead, EH 1 1JY
  3. Barney’s Beer, 1 Summerhall Place, EH9 1 PL
  4. British Heart Foundation Stockbridge, 28-29 Raeburn Place, EH4 1HX
  5. British Heart Foundation West End, 85 Shandwick Place, EH2 4SD
  6. Cranachan & Crowdie, 263 Canongate EH8 8BQ
  7. Edinburgh Dental Studio, 6 Randholph Place, EH3 7TE
  8. Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, EH12 6TS
  9. Epicurean & Radisson Collection Royal Mile, 1 George IV Bridge EH1 1LL
  10. Forbidden Planet, 40-41 South Bridge, EH1 1AD
  11. Galaxy South Bridge, 47-49 South Bridge EH1 1AD
  12. Get Guided, Royal Mile, Edinburgh
  13. Gladstone’s Land, 477b Lawnmarket, EH1 2NT
  14. Haggis Adventures, 60 High Street, EH1 1TB
  15. Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, 19 North Bridge, EH1 1SD
  16. Hotel Du Vin, 11 Bistro Place, EH1 1EZ
  17. The Real Mary King’s Close – The Green Lantern Way, 2 Warriston’s Close, EH1 1TG
  18. Museum of Childhood, 42 High Street, EH1 1TG
  19. Principle Charlotte Square, Charlotte Square
  20. Printing Press Bar & Kitchen, 21-23 George Street, EH2 2PB
  21. Radisson Blu Royal Mile & Itchycoo Bar, 80 High Street, Royal Mile, EH1 1TH
  22. One Square, 1 Festival Square, EH3 9SR
  23. Strigicake, 1 East Preston Street, EH8 9QQ
  24. Subway Cowgate, 69 Cowgate, EH1 1JW
  25. The Assemble! Rooms, 54 George Street, EH2 2LR
  26. The Knight’s Vault, 102 West Bow, EH1 2HH
  27. The Whiski Rooms, 4-7 North Bank Street, EH1 2LP
  28. Waverley Mall, 3 Waverley Bridge, EH1 1BQ
  29. Lothian Busses Travel Shops a. 31 Waverley Bridge, EH1 1BQ, b. 11 Clifton Terrace, EH12 5DR, c. 27 Hanover Street, EH2 2DL
  30. Edinburgh Bus Tours, 31 Waverley Bridge, EH1 1BQ
  31. Odeon Wester Hailes, 120 Wester Hailes Rd, EH14 3HR
  32. Odeon Lothian Road, 118 Lothian Road, EH3 8BQ
  33. Cineworld, Fountain Park, EH11 1AF
  34. Camera Obscura & World of Illusion, 549 Castlehill, EH11 1AF
  35. City Cabs, see Edinburgh.org/cityofsuperheroes
  36. Mercat Tours, The Mercat Cross, High Street, EH1 1RF
  37. Hard Rock Cafe, 20 George Street, EH2 2PF
  38. Vue Edinburgh Ocean Terminal, Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, Ocean Drive, EH6 6JJ
  39. The Place, 34-38 York Place, EH1 3HU
  40. The Edinburgh Press Club, 20-30 Cockburn Street, EH1 1NY
  41. Alex App, see Edinburgh.org/cityofsuperheroes
  42. Fountain Court, 121 Grove Street, EH3 8AA
  43. Cuckoo’s Bakery, 150 Dundas Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5DQ and 116 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4ES

Going forward together: ONE BILLION POUNDS to fund childcare expansion

Almost a billion pounds will be invested annually to fund the huge expansion of early learning and childcare, transforming the life chances of children in Scotland, the Scottish Government has announced.  Continue reading Going forward together: ONE BILLION POUNDS to fund childcare expansion

One in five Scots wish for wealth over health and happiness

Time to forget health and forego happiness? New local research by Make-A-Wish UK reveals one in five Scots just wish to be rich

  •  World Wish Day® (Sunday, 29th April) is an international celebration of the anniversary of the wish that inspired Make-A-Wish®, the charity that grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.
  • Research reveals Scottish residents most popular wishes from their own childhood, with the most popular ‘always being on holiday’ (15%), not going to school (13%) and ‘being famous’ (12%) coming out on top.

Ahead of World Wish Day tomorrow, new research commissioned by children’s wishgranting charity Make-A-Wish UK reveals that, even as adults, we never really stop wishing, but our values may change slightly. Continue reading One in five Scots wish for wealth over health and happiness

Briggs Visits Leith Academy

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs visited Leith Academy yesterday to talk with their S3 modern studies class. The visit was organised so that pupils could ask Miles about his role as an MSP.

It was an opportunity for the politician to listen to the ideas and concerns of young people in Scotland.

Miles Briggs said: “I always enjoy the opportunity to meet and talk with my constituents. The young modern studies pupils at Leith Academy asked very insightful questions about my role as an MSP.”

Edinburgh College making progress on tackling financial deficit, says Auditor General

Auditor General reports on finances at two colleges

Edinburgh College has made progress while poor planning and over-optimism contributed to financial problems at New College Lanarkshire, the Auditor General says in her latest report.  Continue reading Edinburgh College making progress on tackling financial deficit, says Auditor General