Think hay fever season is over? Think again!
Even as we head into September, hay fever can still be active across Scotland.
If you’re still sneezing, sniffling, or dealing with itchy eyes, you’re not alone.
Go to https://nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/immune-system/hay-fever/
Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Alan Cumming is set to host a fundraising event for the Theatre on Sunday 28 September, when he spends an entertaining evening in conversation with sports pundits Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove, celebrating over 30 years of Scotland’s best loved (and self-proclaimed worst informed) football radio show, BBC Radio Scotland’s Off the Ball.
Whether you are a football fan or a Theatre lover (or both!) , join Alan as he delves into the history of this dynamic duo, and their unique style of football punditry which has brought joy each week to football fans across Scotland. The conversation will be followed by the chance for audience members to ask their own questions to Tam and Stuart.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Alan Cumming said: “I am a huge fan of Off the Ball even though I know and have very little interest in football.
“I guested on the show once (and can’t wait to again, hint hint), and my big brother – who is a football nut and was I think rather jealous of my proximity to Scotland’s fitba royalty – said ‘you just giggled the whole time’. And he was right. “Tam and Stuart are hilarious, irreverent, and even just the timbre of their voices and their vocabulary make me howl with laughter and I could listen to them all day.
“This fundraiser is a beautiful gesture by them to support me and my plans for my first season of work at Pitlochry Festival Theatre and a great chance for everyone who loves football and comedy to witness, in the flesh, these petty and ill-informed football titans!”
Tam Cowan added: “I first suggested doing this fundraiser for the theatre when Alan Cumming was appointed artistic director as he’s been a great friend of Off the Ball with numerous plugs for the programme on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Me and Stuart appreciate the support (it’s not every day a James Bond baddie praises your work!) and, to reciprocate, I thought the least we could do was put on a wee freebie at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, just a few miles from where Stuart was born and bred.
“We’re really looking forward to a no-holds-barred petty & ill-informed evening of stories, jokes and memories – and we might even spill a few Off the Ball secrets for the punters who donate a few quid extra by splashing out on a VIP meet’n’greet ticket…!”
An Evening with Off the Ball’s Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove is scheduled as the first in a series of In Conversation fundraising events to be held at the Theatre over the next year.
These events will bring in much needed funds for the Theatre, a charity, which produces work here in Pitlochry at its on-site workshop and rehearsal rooms.
The funds from the evening will go to support the Theatre’s 2026 programme, which will be Alan Cumming’s first season of programming as Artistic Director, as well as the Theatre’s 75th Anniversary Season.
Further In Conversation events will be announced in the coming months.
General tickets for the fundraising event cost £25. VIP Meet and Greet packages are also available, allowing audiences members the opportunity to enjoy nibbles and drinks whilst chatting with Tam, Stuart, and Alan.
An Evening with Off the Ball’s Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove will be on Sunday 28 September at 7pm at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Tickets are available from the box office on 01796 484626 or online at pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
To find out more about supporting Pitlochry Festival Theatre visit:
We are so excited to welcome you to our Gala Day next Sunday 7 September, 11am–5pm! Join us for a free day of art, music, tours, makers market and children’s creative play, and scroll down to view the schedule for the day.
You can already pre-book your tickets for Jean Bareham’s Democracy walking tour, and for Lisa Williams’ Black history walking tour!
Otherwise, everything is bookable on the day at our sign-up desk.
Click here for more access information about our site.
As summer draws to a close, the organisers of one of Edinburgh’s most beloved winter trails are preparing to open the gates to the magical Christmas at the Botanics, with a spectacular line-up of installations set to illuminate the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh like never before.
Running from 20 November to 30 December, this year’s trail will run for 36 nights. Visitors can look forward to experiencing nature in a whole new light as a host of UK and international artists transform the Garden into an enchanting wonderland of beauty and brilliance.
Fan favourites will once again delight visitors, from Santa himself to the trail’s most Instagrammable installation, the Christmas Cathedral, which makes a dazzling return this year with a brand-new twinkle effect.
Commenting on his involvement in this year’s trail, Michael said: “The Garden is a wonderful place to contemplate the value of nature, with the Christmas trail providing a chance to appreciate its resilience and allure during winter.
“With Night Birds, I imagined playful creatures exploring this haven, portraying a celebration of light, life and the magic that connects us to the natural world.”
Closer to home, the trail also features installations by acclaimed creative studio NOVAK, which has been involved in previous years. Known for its large-scale projection artworks, the UK-based studio has created a bespoke light display that will transform the historic Inverleith House into a vibrant celebration of colour and festive spirit.
Adam Finlay, Director of NOVAK, said: “Being from Scotland myself, it’s a real privilege to bring our work to one of the country’s most beautiful gardens.
“This year’s projection paints Inverleith House with a wash of colour and movement, reflecting the joy and tradition of decorating our surroundings at Christmas, while honouring the Botanics’ natural setting.”
This year’s trail has once again been carefully designed with low-energy installations to complement the Botanics’ natural landscape and set the Garden’s vast collection of plants from around the world centre-stage.
Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Simon Milne, said: “We’ve got a fantastic line-up of installations for this year’s trail. Each one spotlights a unique aspect of the Garden’s landscape and celebrates the vital connection between people and nature.
“From creative interpretations of biodiversity to dazzling displays that enhance our remarkable plant collections, visitors will be captivated by the wonder of the Garden.”
Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. With limited slots and popular dates expected to sell out, early booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment. For further ticket information, pricing, and timings, please visit:
https://www.mychristmastrails.co.uk/events/christmas-at-the-botanics.
Christmas at the Botanics is one of 12 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.
For more details, visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.
The countdown is officially on for one of the biggest nights in Scotland’s hospitality calendar – the Edinburgh Bar Awards 2025, as the longlist of nominees is revealed.
Now in its second year in the Capital, the awards will culminate in the Edinburgh Bartenders’ Ball, taking over The Biscuit Factory on Monday 22nd September 2025. Promising an end-of-summer blowout like no other, the Ball will bring together Edinburgh’s bar community for an unforgettable night of cocktails, music, food, and celebration.
This year, more than 150 bars, bartenders, and hospitality stars have made the longlist across 11 categories, following an overwhelming public response to nominations. From iconic cocktail institutions and legendary pubs to fresh talent shaking up the city, the longlist is a true showcase of the people and places that make Edinburgh one of the world’s leading drinking destinations.
And now, it’s time to vote. The longlist will be narrowed down to five finalists per category, with results decided by a 50/50 public and trade vote. The final winners will be revealed live at the Edinburgh Bartenders’ Ball.
Every vote counts – nominations close on 31st August, so get voting for your favourite before it’s too late.
Speaking about the longlist, David Smillie, co-founder and organiser of the Bar Awards and Bartender’s Ball, said: “Edinburgh is home to some of the best bars and bartenders in the world, and this year’s Edinburgh Bar Awards longlist proves it.
“This city’s talent, creativity and community spirit is unmatched, and the Bartenders’ Ball is our chance to celebrate that together in style. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to The Biscuit Factory this September for what promises to be the ultimate industry party.”
Tickets for the Edinburgh Bartenders’ Ball, priced at just £35, are on sale now.
The event includes complimentary drinks, food, entertainment, and a night of industry celebration.
2025 Categories & Longlist
(alphabetical order within each category)
Best Bar
4042 • Bittersweet • Bramble • Chancho • Dragonfly • Hey Palu • Lucky Liquor • Old Pal • Panda & Sons • The Bonnington • The Cocktail Geeks • The Powder Room • The Raging Bull • The Volley Leith • Uno Mas
Best Pub
Athletic Arms (Diggers) • Bennets of Morningside • The Black Cat • The Bonnington • The Finch • The Golden Rule • The Hanging Bat • Joker & The Thief • Kay’s Bar • Malt & Hops • The Mother Superior • Nauticus • The Oxford Bar • St Vincent Bar • Teuchters (Landing & West End)
Best Restaurant Bar
The Alchemist • Bittersweet • Bonnie & Wild • Copper Blossom • The Devil’s Advocate • Hawksmoor • Leith Depot • Little Capo • Lucky Yu • Old Pal • Paradise Palms • Smith & Gertrude • Tipo • The Bonnington • Voyage of Buck
Best Bar Team
Bramble • The Bonnington • The Cocktail Geeks • The Mother Superior • Hey Palu • Lucky Liquor • Nauticus • Nightcap • Old Pal • Panda & Sons • The Powder Room • The Raging Bull • The Three Sisters • Voodoo Rooms • West Port Oracle
Best Late Night Venue
4042 • Banshee Labyrinth • Liquid Rooms • The Jazz Bar • The Mother Superior • Nightcap • NQ64 • Paradise Palms • The Raging Bull • Sneaky Pete’s • Stramash • The Street • Tonic • Uno Mas • The Voodoo Rooms
Unsung Hero
Adam Fraser Gray (Herman) • Anthony Crowther • Ben Leslie • Cam Chittleborough • Cullen Hutchison • Dom Cummings • Fiona Hamilton • Gavin Whyte • Jane Ross • Kaelum-Ian Mullen • Kristaps Baranovs • Logan Pope • Mon Nelson • Sam Baxendale • Sian Buchan
Rising Star
Cal Lister • Cameron Finlay • Emily Weston • Flora Luckman • Freja Kemp • Jack Smith • Ketan Mackenzie • Levi Reed • Logan Pope • Noah French • Pierre Martin • Saul Lavelle • Walt Webster-Curran
Best Shake
Alessia Impedovo • Ben Jones • Cameron Chittleborough • Connor Bleakley • Fowwaz Ansari • Jake Harris • Jay Braby • Kielan Davidson • Logan Pope • Pierre Martin • Sam Baxendale • Sam Milne • Saul Lavelle • Stuart McBain • Toby Peters
Best Cocktail
Baltic Bru • Bramble • Coco Colada • Feta Mezcal Negroni • Indominous • Make Love Not Warcraft • Paper Dragon • The Perfect Pear • Port Hayward • Porridge Colada • Spicy Peach Margarita • Spring Fizz • Stinger • Sweet Manhattan • Yuzu Margarita
Social Star
Ben Greig • Camille Le Courtois • Carrie Smith • Chloe Archibald-Ansari • Chloe Yeung • Gracie Goggins • Groundskeeper (Murray Tait) • Kaelum Mullen • Lara Sinclair • Millie Harley • Rachel Dixon • Ross Lawrie • Ryan Snedden • Tasha Corfield • Cal Lister
Far Side of the Bar
Adam Murphy • Ashton Williamson • Connie Macdonald • Damian Koval • Dan Bartley • Dana Crombie • Ellie Raeside • Josh Knox • Kaitlin Wilkes • Mike McGinty • Niamh Savage • Ross Lawrie • Ruth Mason • Ryan Snedden • Stevie Aitken
The Edinburgh Bar Awards take place at The Edinburgh Bartender’s Ball at The Biscuit Factory on Monday, 22nd September 2025. Tickets include complimentary drinks, food, and entertainment, and cost £35.
Vote now or buy tickets from https://backshospitality.com/.
Follow on Instagram: Instagram.com/theedinburghbartendersball
Royal Collection Trust has announced an artist residency in collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) at The University of Edinburgh for the upcoming major exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance at The King’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Artists Phoebe Leach and Dette Allmark, both ECA alumni, will be responding to the masterpieces on display and drawing in the Gallery throughout the exhibition’s run, with their creations forming a changing display for visitors.
The residency, which is the first at The King’s Gallery in Edinburgh, has been organised in partnership with ECA, a leading international art school within The University of Edinburgh that traces its history back to 1760.
Drawing the Italian Renaissance, which opens on 17 October 2025, will be the widest ranging exhibition of Italian Renaissance drawings in Scotland for over 50 years. Works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Titian are among more than 80 works on display, with 45 drawings going on show in Scotland for the first time.
The residency programme will demonstrate how drawing remains a vital practice for artists today, just as it was for the artists of the Italian Renaissance.
Visitors to the exhibition will also be encouraged to take inspiration from the works on display and try their hand at drawing, with pencils and paper freely available in the Gallery.
For artist Phoebe Leach, who was raised in Lincolnshire and graduated from ECA in 2024, drawing has been critical to her work. As a painter and printmaker, she explores how people experience and interact with the world around them, with drawing allowing her to shed light on often unseen spaces.
Since October 2024, Phoebe has been documenting the work of the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Drawing brain surgeries and operations from life, she has created a unique record of the unit’s surgical activities and the experiences of patients (above).
Phoebe Leach said: ‘It’s a real privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of this residency so early in my career, just a year after graduating.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with the works in the exhibition – studying the techniques of the Old Masters to refine my own technical drawing skills, while also creating contemporary interpretations in response.
“Most of all, I’m excited to record the activity of visitors and their interaction with the exhibition to create live response drawings in the Gallery space.”
Dette Allmark, who graduated from ECA with a degree in Tapestry in 2000 and a Master’s in Illustration in 2022, as well as spending a year at the Royal Drawing School in 2007, is an established artist, illustrator and writer who has been a long-term resident of Edinburgh.
Drawing forms the basis for all Dette’s work, but it has increasingly grown in importance for her as an art form in its own right.
It provides a way for her to process the world around her to make sense of her life and experiences, with much of Dette’s work exploring the narratives, myths and archetypes that surround women.
Dette is currently a visiting artist to Scottish Opera in Glasgow, observing and drawing from rehearsals and live performances.
Dette Allmark said: ‘The characters and worlds created by the Renaissance artists not only capture beauty, ignite awe and tell stories but also allow us to see that these artists scrutinised their world, the imagined world and its characters to understand more about themselves, humanity and spirituality.
“I draw to make sense of my experiences, and I hope the visitors will be inspired to revisit what it is to play with a pencil, lay their judgement aside and conjure up a visual world that is uniquely theirs.’
Professor Juan Cruz, ECA Principal, Edinburgh College of Art, The University of Edinburgh said: ‘We’re thrilled that alumni of Edinburgh College of Art will be involved in this landmark exhibition, bringing some of the greatest works of the Italian Renaissance to Scotland for the first time.
“Drawing, in many guises, continues to be a vital part of creative practice, and this residency offers a unique opportunity for our graduates to engage with these historic works in a live public setting. We look forward to seeing how they interpret and respond to the collection through their own creative lens.’
Lauren Porter, Senior Curator of Works on Paper and curator of the exhibition, said: ‘We are delighted to have Phoebe and Dette as the first artists in residence at The King’s Gallery in Edinburgh.
“Drawing was fundamental to the Italian Renaissance and the residency will show its continued importance while offering both artists the time to engage with and respond to the works in their own unique way. We hope that visitors will not only enjoy seeing the artists at work and their drawings on display, but also feel inspired to pick up a pencil and try their hand at drawing.’
Highlights of the exhibition’s accompanying programme of events will include a Gallery Late with music, crafts, and drop-in talks, and family workshops which will explore the exhibition through yoga, storytelling, and drawing.
The two artists in residence will take part in family and community group events, while also on select days offering drop-in support, advice and discussion on drawing in the Gallery.
Business confidence in Scotland rose three points during August to 59%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland.
Companies in Scotland reported slightly lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down five points at 65%. However, when taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up nine points to 52%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 59% (vs. 56% in July).
A net balance of 70% of businesses in the country also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 47 points on last month.
Looking ahead to the next six months, Scottish businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example through training (59%), evolving their offer, for example by introducing new products or services (39%) and entering new markets (39%).
National picture
Overall, UK business confidence rose two points in August to 54%.
While firms’ confidence in the wider economy dropped three points to 44%, their optimism in their own trading prospects rose five points to 63%.
London was the most confident part of the UK in August (69%), followed by the East of England (64%).
Sector Insights
Manufacturing firms saw confidence up 14 points this month, to 62%. This level was previously seen in 2015. Retailers also saw an increase in confidence this month, with levels up 13 points to 57%, a five-month high. However, construction firms confidence fell by five points to 40%, a four-month low while confidence in service sector firms also fell eight points to 53%.
Martyn Kendrick, Scotland Director at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “It’s encouraging to see Scottish business confidence continuing to strengthen, outpacing the UK average for a fourth month in a row.
“The strong focus on team investment and widespread hiring plans demonstrates that Scottish firms are taking a long-term view of growth, building the capabilities they need for sustained success. We’ll continue to provide our support to help businesses across the country achieve their ambitions.”
Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Commercial Banking, said: “This continued upward trend in business confidence suggests UK firms remain optimistic about their own trading prospects while there is a modest cooling of confidence in the wider UK economy.
“Firms are focusing on what they can control, with many looking to pursue growth opportunities, including entering new markets and adopting new technologies.
“Wage expectations have seen a notable shift this month, but it remains to be seen whether this signals the start of a sustained trend or a temporary uplift, as they have been broadly stable in recent months.”
Paul Kempster, Managing Director for Commercial Banking Coverage, Lloyds Business & Commercial said: “August’s figures show a build on business confidence. Opportunities continue to lie ahead for businesses, whether that be upskilling their workforce or exploring new markets.
“While confidence isn’t rising evenly across all sectors and regions, it’s encouraging to see positive sentiment holding well above the long-term average.”
PARENTAL EMPLOYABILITY SCOTLAND (PES)
FRIDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 1 – 4pm at NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS
PARENTAL EMPLOYABILITY SUPPORT FUND (PESF)
PESF offers support to:
Taking a holistic Key Worker approach parents are supported to upskill and/or re-train, increasing family income, lifting themselves and their families out of poverty.
The fund provides personalised support for parents who face barriers to progressing their careers, including help to gain qualifications, improving skills or work experience; money advice, and motivational support.
You can read more about the Scottish Government’s plan to eradicate child poverty by clicking on the following link: Every child, every chance: tackling child poverty delivery plan 2018-2022 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Contact your local employability lead to find out more.
Additional help and support is available at www.parentclub.scot/work.
WEDNESDAY 10th SEPTEMBER from 10am – 12.30pm
at CORSTORPHINE COMMUNITY CENTRE
BILLIONS of pounds will be pumped into the Scottish economy following Norway’s decision to select Glasgow-built warships for their Armed Forces – securing thousands of jobs in Scotland for years to come.
The UK will supply Norway with Type 26 frigates in a historic deal worth £10 billion announced today, cementing Scotland’s position as a world leader in naval shipbuilding, and on the government’s Plan for Change.
The deal supports 2,000 jobs at BAE Systems’ shipyards in Glasgow and a further 2,000 roles across the UK maritime supply chain until the late 2030s. The agreement is expected to support 103 Scottish businesses which includes 54 small and medium enterprises
Norway’s selection of the UK’s world leading Type 26 frigates builds on decades of close cooperation between NATO allies and strengthens both nations’ strategic partnership and maritime security in the face of increasing Russian threats in northern Europe. Both Australia and Canada have also bought a licence to build their own ships based on the Type 26 design for their Navies.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This £10 billion deal is what our Plan for Change is about – creating jobs, driving growth and protecting national security for working people.
“This government has forged new partnerships across the world to deliver for people at home and the export of our world leading Type 26 frigates to Norway will do exactly that, supporting well-paid jobs up and down the United Kingdom, from apprentices to engineers.
“This success is testament to the thousands of people across the country who are not just delivering this next generation capabilities for our Armed Forces but also national security for the UK, our Norwegian partners and NATO for years to come.”
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “Norway’s decision to choose Scottish-built frigates demonstrates the tremendous success of our shipbuilding industry and showcases the world-class skills and expertise of our workforce on the Clyde.
“This contract is another ‘defence dividend’ for Scotland and supports thousands of jobs and reinforces Scotland’s vital contribution to both UK prosperity and international security. The deal demonstrates that when we back Scottish industry, it delivers for communities, workers, and our allies.”
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: “For over 75 years, Britain and Norway have stood together on NATO’s northern and north-eastern frontiers, keeping the UK and Europe safe. This historic defence deal deepens our strategic partnership.
“With Norway, we will train, operate, deter, and – if necessary – fight together. Our navies will work as one, leading the way in NATO, with this deal putting more world-class warships in the North Atlantic to hunt Russian submarines, protect our critical infrastructure, and keep both our nations secure.
“This deal confirms Scotland’s place as a world leader in shipbuilding. It will support 2,000 high-skilled jobs in Scotland for the next 15 years and beyond, driving forward this Government’s Plan for Change and making defence an engine for growth.”
The frigates are designed for anti-submarine warfare – strengthening the strategic partnership and maritime security of both nations in the face of increasing Russian threats in northern Europe.
The decision comes ahead of a new UK-Norway defence agreement that will bolster Euro-Atlantic security while bringing the two defence industries closer together to boost jobs, growth, and innovation.
