One small thing to do before Easter 
If you take regular medication, now’s a good time to check how much you have left.
GP practices and pharmacies may have changed opening hours over the Easter weekend, so ordering what you need in plenty of time can help avoid a last‑minute rush.
Following the successful trial of bridal and occasion wear at our Ocean Terminal charity shop, we’re delighted to announce that we are going to open a standalone bridalwear store, Ever After by St Columba’s, at Newhailes Musselburgh.
As we make the move to our new location we won’t have any bridal wear available to shop or try-on in store for a short period of time. Please bear with us during this transition – we promise it’ll be worth it, as we’ll have lots of space for even more beautiful gowns, occasion wear, and accessories in our new location!
We’ll share opening dates and times as soon as we can – look out for updates in the next few weeks!
Please also note that from 1 April we’re updating our OT shop opening hours.
We’ll be open Friday to Sunday each week, and closed Monday to Thursday.
Scottish Government benefits delivered by Social Security Scotland are being increased by 3.8%, in line with inflation as measured by the annual rate of September 2025 Consumer Prices Index.
The earnings limit for Carer Support Payment will also be increased to £204 per week.
These increases will take effect from tomorrow – 1 April 2026.
More information is available on the Scottish Government website.
Police are increasingly concerned for the welfare of Anthony Duffy, last seen in the Stevenson Drive area on 17th March 2026.
Anthony is 25 years old, white, bald head with a beard, slim build. If you have seen or heard from him please call 101 and quote incident number 1728 of 25/03/26. Thank you.
‘Sensational’ Opinion Poll Predicts Alliance to Liberate Scotland Party Breakthrough in May – Tommy Sheridan and Craig Murray set for election to the Scottish Parliament?
Find Out Now is a reputable opinion polling organisation belonging to the British Opinion Polling Council. They were commissioned by former MEP Hugh Kerr to add three specific questions to their monthly poll of Scottish opinion regarding the forthcoming election of May 7th – and the results are outstanding for the new Alliance to Liberate Scotland Party which was only officially registered with the Electoral Commission in February.
Find Out Now specifically asked voters in the Glasgow Region, the Lothians East Region and across Scotland if they would consider voting for the Scottish independence party at May’s election. Around 500 voters were polled in Glasgow and Lothians East and 1,000 voters were polled nationally.
In Glasgow former MSP and well-known independence campaigner Tommy Sheridan is the lead candidate for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland Party.
In the critical ‘Definitely’ of ‘Very Likely’ category 7% of voters said they would vote for the Alliance Party and Sheridan which would mean Sheridan’s re-election to Holyrood. In past elections 5% of the regional list vote has been enough to be elected and last time in 2021 the 7th list seat in Glasgow was won by the Tories on 6.1%. This opinion poll predicts Sheridan will replace a Tory to represent the Glasgow Region.
The poll across Lothians East where former British Ambassador and outspoken champion of Scottish independence Craig Murray is leading the Alliance to Liberate Scotland election challenge the result is even better.
A ‘very encouraging’ 8% of voters say they are definite or very likely Alliance voters, and that level of support will see Craig Murray elected in place of another Tory.
At a national level the level of support is also extremely encouraging for the new Alliance Party. Across 1,000 voters polled a significant8% say they will vote for the single-issue party on May 7th.
The Alliance to Liberate Scotland Party are promoting only one issue and that issue is Scottish independence. If the support for the Alliance stays as high as 8% or increases the new party will send 8 MSPs to the Scottish Parliament on a mission to pursue Scottish independence as the priority issue.
In most of the regional list seats around 6% of the list votes is enough to secure election and win one of the seven regional seats. With the Alliance to Liberate Scotland Party running at 8% it seems an electoral breakthrough is certain.
Alliance for Liberate Scotland has four candidates in Glasgow, Tommy Sheridan, Dhruva Kumar, Gail Sheridan and Hilda McMahon.
Lead Alliance candidate in Glasgow Tommy Sheridan said: “This opinion poll is sensational for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland Party. We were only registered in February and are not yet widely known but our determination to make Scottish independence the primary issue is clearly attracting votes from those sick and tired of Westminster corruption and the constant exploitation of Scotland.
“Independence supporters in Glasgow know list votes for SNP don’t count for them because they win the constituency seats. This poll shows I will take a list seat from a unionist Tory. That is good news for Glasgow and Scotland.
“I will demand our independence from Westminster is front and centre of the agenda after May’s election”.
Responding to the polling which suggests he is in line for election to the Scottish Parliament Craig Murray said: “More and more independence voters realise the utter folly of giving Regional List votes to the SNP. They simply don’t count because the voting system penalises parties that do well in constituency votes. The SNP will win most constituencies which is why they win no List seats.
“By giving their List votes to the Alliance to Liberate Scotland Party the independence community is blocking unionists from Labour and the Tories and racists like Reform from getting elected. They understand a List vote for the Alliance helps the independence cause”.
The Alliance to Liberate Scotland Party is standing in all eight of the regional list seats with over 32 candidates. They are also fielding candidates in several constituency seats in protest at the lack of progress by the SNP in advancing the cause of Scottish independence.
The Electoral Commission is calling for the Scottish Parliament Election on May 7 to be free of abuse and intimidation.
In recent elections, candidates have faced unacceptable behaviour while campaigning, including harassment, threats and physical intimidation. Following the UK Parliament General Election in 2024, Commission research found over half (55%) of candidates felt that they had some kind of problem with harassment, intimidation, or abuse, with one in ten (13%) reporting it as a serious issue.
This led to more than half (56%) of respondents avoiding some kind of campaign activity due to fear of abuse. Women were also found to be twice as likely, and ethnic minorities three times more likely, to report serious abuse.
With the poll still six weeks away, the Electoral Commission is acting now to tackle the issue alongside partners including the Electoral Management Board for Scotland and Police Scotland. This includes supporting electoral administrators to ensure the safe and effective delivery of the election, including through providing guidance on their powers at polling stations and the count, so everyone can participate freely and without intimidation.
The Commission has published a set of principles to guide campaigning at the May elections, with a focus on maintaining respect, safety and honesty during robust debate. Created in response to recommendations made by the Speaker’s Conference on the security of MPs, candidates and elections, the principles build on common themes across parties existing codes of conducts, and aim to put in place a common, minimum standard of behaviour, to make sure that campaigners feel supported and protected.
Education also plays a critical role in tackling abuse by preparing young people to participate in democracy. The Commission is delivering democratic education for young people and New Scots to support media literacy and improve understanding of the role of the Scottish Parliament and its politicians.
Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: “Abuse and intimidation should not be seen as part of the job for candidates , elected officials or electoral staff. This behaviour is unacceptable and harms democracy.
“Clear principles to help people take part in respectful campaigning are available, and we would encourage all parties and candidates to engage with the safety resources and briefings provided by Police Scotland.
“We will also continue to speak out against online harassment and threats directed at those taking part in elections and have made recommendations to social media companies to strengthen their response to abusive content.”
Malcolm Burr, Convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland, said: “Returning Officers and their staff will not hesitate to exclude anyone from polling places or the count if they disrupt proceedings.
“Any poor behaviour from candidates and agents undermines trust in the whole system. Voters must have confidence that the election will be run in a free, fair and safe manner for all.”
Chief Superintendent Neil MacDougall, Police Scotland, said: “Advice and briefings are being provided by Police Scotland to maximise the safety of candidates, minimise any risk of disruption and ensure a peaceful democratic process. All reports of criminality will be subject to an investigation.
“We continue to work with partners, including the Electoral Commission, and will liaise closely with local authority returning officers across Scotland regarding security at polling places.”
NO such problems at the Edinburgh Northern Hustings organised by Drylaw Telford Community Council at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre last night.
It was all very civilised – we even had a Conservative candidate agreeing with his Communist opponent! – Ed.
Millions of motor finance customers will receive compensation this year under an FCA scheme for those treated unfairly by firms who broke the law by failing to disclose important information.
Consumers were denied the chance to seek a better deal and, in some instances, paid more for their loan.
The FCA has made several changes to the free to use scheme in response to conflicting feedback from consumers, their representatives, firms, manufacturers and industry bodies.
This ensures it is fair for consumers and proportionate for firms. The eligibility criteria have been tightened, average compensation increased for older agreements and a minimum 3% compensatory interest rate per annum added. Payouts will be capped in around 1 in 3 cases to ensure no one is put in a better position than had they been treated fairly.
12.1 million agreements made between 2007 and 2024 are now eligible for compensation, fewer than under the FCA’s original proposals. The average payout has increased to around £830 per agreement. The FCA estimates that 75% of eligible consumers will make a claim. If so, total redress paid would be £7.5bn.
Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA, said: ‘We’ve listened to feedback to make sure the scheme is fair for consumers and proportionate for firms. It will put £7.5 billion back into people’s pockets.
‘Now we need everyone to get behind it and ensure millions get their money this year. Payouts should not be delayed any longer, especially as household bills come under greater pressure.
“Delivering compensation promptly also gives lenders the chance to rebuild trust, and means we can draw a line under the past and support a healthy motor finance market for the future.’
An industry-wide scheme is the most efficient way of compensating affected consumers while supporting the ongoing availability of competitively priced motor finance for millions who rely on it. Without such a scheme, the cost to lenders of dealing with complaints through the Ombudsman or courts is estimated to be over £6bn higher.
Motor finance loans taken out between 6 April 2007 to 1 November 2024 are covered.
There will be a short implementation period so firms can prepare. This will be up to:
Lenders will have 3 months from the end of the implementation period to inform complainants whether they’re owed compensation and how much. This means that people who have already complained or who complain before the end of the relevant implementation period will be compensated sooner.
Lenders will only contact people who haven’t complained if they are likely to be owed money. They have 6 months from the end of the relevant implementation period to do so. This avoids unnecessary and potentially confusing communication with people who won’t get compensation. Anyone not contacted has until 31 August 2027 to make a claim.
Claims for high value loans – amounts higher than 99.5% of other loans that year – are not covered by the scheme, which is designed for the mass market. These consumers can still complain to firms and the Financial Ombudsman Service.
People will only be compensated if they were not told clearly that either:
There will be some exceptions, with cases considered fair, if:
Where the commission was very high (50% of the total cost of credit and 22.5% of the loan) and another relevant factor of unfairness existed, consumers will receive the commission paid.
For most people compensation will be made up of 2 parts, the average of:
Consumers should not be put back in a better position than they would have been had they been treated fairly or than those who suffered the most unfairness, so in around 1 in 3 cases, compensation will be capped.
Interest will be paid on compensation, based on the annual average Bank of England base rate per year plus 1%, at a minimum of 3% in any year.
The FCA has established a dedicated supervisory team, led by a Director, to monitor if firms are meeting the scheme’s rules and act if they’re not. If people disagree with their firm’s decision, the Financial Ombudsman will be able to assess whether the scheme rules have been followed.
The FCA has also joined with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Information Commissioner’s Office and Advertising Standards Authority to launch a taskforce to tackle poor handling of motor finance claims by some claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms.
The taskforce is the latest measure by regulators to improve standards. The FCA has already removed or amended 800 misleading adverts, over 28,000 consumers have been able to exit contracts free of charge, and 3 CMCs reduced their high fees, protecting over 500,000 consumers.
Consumers can choose not to take part in the FCA’s compensation scheme and instead go to court, where they may get more or less compensation, based on the facts of their case. However, the outcome of a court claim is uncertain and accounting for legal fees they may pay, many consumers could end up with less. The FCA’s scheme is also likely to be faster and simpler.
Aidan Rushby, CEO and founder of car finance organisation Carmoola, said: “Millions of drivers could receive compensation after not being fully informed about how broker incentives affected the cost of their finance. The FCA has now confirmed a framework for putting that right.
“What matters now is whether drivers actually receive compensation quickly, clearly and without hassle.
“Redress must reflect genuine harm. But it must also be applied proportionately and consistently. Restoring confidence depends on delivering compensation clearly, consistently and as quickly as possible.
“Our research shows 73% of drivers say access to fair and affordable finance is crucial to owning a car, and 61% worry it could become harder to access. That balance is critical.
“We believe car finance should be simple to understand, transparent in how it works, and fair in how it treats people. Trust now has to be earned. That is a healthy shift for the market.”
Stargazing Late & Live 
This April, immerse yourself amongst the stars with our adults-only Stargazing Late & Live show!
Our resident astronomers will guide you across the cosmos, delving into their favourite sights to see along the way. You’ll gaze up at Edinburgh’s night sky, visit distant worlds and view space through the lenses of state-of-the-art telescopes.
Don’t miss out-of-this-world insights and stunning imagery in Edinburgh’s only Planetarium as part of Edinburgh Science Festival.
Discover our line-up of adults-only Planetarium Lates this April:
Award-winning Chef Mandeep Saini swaps tradition for deep-fried naan and masala mash in a Sunday roast unlike anything Scotland has seen before
This Easter, one Edinburgh restaurant is turning the nation’s most beloved meal into a taste sensation. Bombay Bistro, the boldly spiced Indian-fusion restaurant on Bruntsfield Place is serving what may be Scotland’s most talked-about Easter roast – and it comes with a unique Bombay twist.
Diners can choose between tender slow-roasted lamb or succulent chicken, served with buttered cabbage, sweet carrots and peas, and rich gravy. But it’s the details that set this roast apart – silky masala mash in place of buttered potatoes and a deep-fried naan, rather than a Yorkshire pudding.
Behind the menu is Chef Mandeep Saini, formerly head chef at Gleneagles and The Berkeley in London, and one of Scotland’s most celebrated culinary talents.
“The Sunday roast is one of the nation’s favourite food traditions – and that’s exactly why I wanted to reimagine it,” says Chef Mandeep.
“We haven’t replaced it – we’ve elevated it. Every element in Bombay Bistro’s Sunday Roast has a depth of flavour and spice that makes it completely unforgettable..”
At a time when diners are seeking bold, experience-led eating, Bombay Bistro’s Sunday Roast offers something genuinely rare – a dish rooted in tradition, elevated by world-class technique.
Bombay Bistro is located at 14-17 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4HN. Sunday Roasts are available every Sunday. To book, please visit the website here.
More than a third of people in the UK believe in ghosts and supernatural beings [1], and experts say sightings aren’t limited to Halloween. With tourist season starting to pick up over Easter and the bank holidays, encounters at the UK’s top attractions may become more frequent.
Online psychic chat company Psychic World analysed thousands of ghost reports across the UK, mapping haunted sites within the local area and ranking by both the number of nearby hauntings and the frequency of chilling encounters in visitor reports.
Which UK attraction is most haunted?
| Attraction name | Location | Haunted sites within 500m | Supernatural mentions | Spooky Score / 10 | |
| 1 | Mary King’s Close | Edinburgh, Scotland | 28 | 26 | 9.75 |
| 2 | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane | London, England | 9 | 9 | 9.22 |
| 3 | York Minster | York, England | 39 | 39 | 8.95 |
| 4 | Gloucester Cathedral | Gloucestershire, England | 16 | 16 | 8.65 |
| 5 | Pluckley Village | Kent, England | 2 | 1 | 8.38 |
| 6 | Newcastle Castle | Newcastle, England | 16 | 21 | 8.27 |
| 7 | Edinburgh Dungeon | Edinburgh, Scotland | 24 | 18 | 8.17 |
| 8 | Dudley Castle | West Midlands, England | 8 | 3 | 7.85 |
| 9 | Shepton Mallet Prison | Shepton Mallet, England | 2 | 9 | 7.84 |
| 10 | Edinburgh Castle | Edinburgh, Scotland | 14 | 13 | 7.64 |
| 11 | Chislehurst Caves | Kent, England | 2 | 3 | 7.45 |
| 12 | Warwick Castle | Warwickshire, England | 3 | 11 | 7.39 |
| 13 | Arundel Castle | West Sussex, England | 6 | 5 | 7.17 |
| 14 | Stirling Castle | Stirling, Scotland | 7 | 4 | 6.30 |
| 15 | Margam Castle | Port Talbot, Wales | 2 | 7 | 6.23 |
Scotland’s capital is now home to the UK’s most haunted attraction, Mary King’s Close.
Mary King’s Close in Scotland earns a spooky score of 9.75 out of 10 thanks to the many haunted sites within 300m of the historical landmark.
The historic close has had a reputation for hauntings since the 17th century, with the most famous story of a little girl nicknamed Annie, a melancholy, lonely ghost.
Additionally, noises, doors slamming by themselves, oranges cutting themselves in half, and a clock repeatedly stopping working at 4.15 am have been noted.
True to its reputation, Edinburgh ranks three times within the top 10, more than any other UK city, while Scotland is mentioned four times in the top 15.
The second most haunted attraction in the UK is Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. A West End theatre home to some of the world’s most exciting musicals now has a spooky score of 9.22 out of 10.
It’s said that actor William Terriss’ ghost has been seen at the theatre in a grey suit and white gloves, following his murder in 1897, alongside others in the area.
Frequently named the most haunted city in Europe, York is still worthy of its title, according to Psychic World’s analysis. With an estimated 600,000 people buried in church graveyards and other sites under its streets,
York Minster, the Anglican cathedral in North Yorkshire, has a spooky score of 8.95 out of 10 and 39 haunted sites nearby.
The sound of children singing and laughing has been heard coming from a nearby passage, and one witness reported the feeling of a small hand placing itself in his, although no one was visible.
Fourth is Gloucester Cathedral, with a spooky score of 8.65, with 16 haunted sites within 500m of the attraction. A ghost with a hunched back is said to wander around the pub and cellar, knocking the elbows of people as they raise their glass for a drink, and sometimes the furniture in the pub is found to have been rearranged overnight.
Rounding out the top five is Pluckley Village in Kent, which earns a spooky score of 8.38 out of 10. This historic village is known as one of the most haunted in England, being home to 12 ‘official’ ghosts. One of the most famous is Lady Dering, who is sometimes sighted in the churchyard of St Nicholas following her death in the 12th century.-
