NEW PENSION AGE DISABILITY PAYMENT REPLACES ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE
The SNP Scottish Government has introduced the Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) in Edinburgh and across Scotland with the national rollout of a new, fairer replacement to Attendance Allowance.
The payment is for people of state pension age living with a disability or long-term health condition.
PADP takes a fairer, more dignified approach to supporting pensioners than Attendance Allowance. While Attendance Allowance only classes those with terminal illness as eligible to receive support if they are expected to live for 12 months or less, PADP classes terminally ill people as eligible regardless of how long they are expected to live.
The payment, which is not means-tested, is paid either at a higher rate of £441 a month, or a lower rate of £295 a month. Under PADP, terminally ill recipients are automatically entitled to the highest level of payment – which is not the case under Attendance Allowance.
Commenting, SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “In light of the UK Labour government’s decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment and slash PIP provision, the SNP Scottish Government is delivering the support that older disabled people across Edinburgh deserve.
“I welcome the rollout of the Pension Age Disability Payment as people living with terminal illness will automatically be entitled to the highest level of payment, regardless of life expectancy – a marked difference from Westminster’s Attendance Allowance.
“This new benefit is the 15th delivered by Social Security Scotland with the principle of dignity, fairness, and respect at its heart.
“I urge all those across the city who think they may be eligible to apply.”
An early morning international remembrance service, to mark the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War, took place yesterday (Friday, April 25).
ANZAC Day, the annual Remembrance of all the Australian and New Zealand citizens who have served in conflicts and peacekeeping operations around the world, coincides with landings on Gallipoli during the First World War, in which the two southern nations were involved.
Representatives of Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland joined members of the Australian and New Zealand communities, as well as veterans and current servicemen and women in a touching wreath-laying ceremony at Comely Bank Cemetery, Edinburgh, at 5am.
The event was led by Rev Dr Karen Campbell and also featured Scots Guards piper Mark Macrae and bugler Iona Macfarlane. A similar dawn service took part at the same time at the Western Necropolis in Glasgow.
Later at 11am, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Government representatives from Scotland, the UK, Australia, France, and Turkey took part in Legion Scotland’s annual ANZAC and Gallipoli Day Service at the Scottish National War Memorial inside Edinburgh Castle.
The ceremonies take place to remember the events at dawn on April 25th, 1915, when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), together with British, French, and Russian forces landed on the Dardanelles Peninsula (now part of Turkey) at the start of the Gallipoli campaign.
This ended in a stalemate, with troops withdrawing in January 1916, with a total of more than 100,000 soldiers killed over the nine-month period.
Dr Claire Armstrong, OBE, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “This annual event allows us the chance to remember the service and sacrifices of ANZAC servicemen and women through the years, as well as our own soldiers who fell during the Gallipoli campaign.
“It is our opportunity to also reflect on the extraordinary courage of our Armed Forces community, both past and present, as well as the enduring friendship between our countries.”
The Consulate General of India in Edinburgh organized a solemn remembrance ceremony yesterday to honour the victims of the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on 22 April 2025.
Over 100 members of the Scottish and Indian communities in Scotland came together in a powerful display of solidarity with India and in condemnation of terrorism.
Consul General Siddharth Malik addressed the gathering, reaffirming India’s unwavering resolve to combat terrorism and reiterated Hon’ble PM’s statement that India will pursue the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terrorist attack to the ends of the earth, ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
On 22 April 2025, a group of heavily armed terrorists launched a brutal attack in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, a picturesque tourist destination. The terrorist attack claimed the lives of 26 innocent people. More than 17 others were injured.
The victims were attacked when they were enjoying vacation at Pahalgam. The attack, the deadliest in the country since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has sparked widespread outrage and grief across India and the international community.
The Consulate General of India in Edinburgh extend deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish for the speedy recovery of those injured.
A celebratory reception was held on Thursday at the City Chambers to honour the winners of two Edinburgh 900 themed writing competitions.
Hosted by the Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, the event recognised the creativity and talent of local writers who submitted original works inspired by Edinburgh’s remarkable nine-century history.
The two featured competitions included the Green Pencil Award 2024, aimed at school-aged children (P4 to S3) attending Edinburgh schools or home-educated in the city, and a city-wide poetry writing competition organised through Edinburgh’s library network, open to adult residents.
The Edinburgh 900 initiative commemorates 900 years since the Royal Burgh was established by King David I around 1124. In honour of this historic milestone, residents were invited to share their reflections, memories, and love for Scotland’s capital through poetry and storytelling.
Both competitions highlighted Edinburgh’s rich heritage, cultural vibrancy, and strong community spirit. Six winning entries from the poetry competition will be immortalised on exclusive bookmarks to be distributed across Council-run libraries throughout the city.
The winning poets will also be filmed reciting their work, with the recordings shared across the Council’s social media channels and preserved as part of the Edinburgh 900 archive for future generations.
The winners are: Shasta Hanif Ali, Eric Robinson, Rory Allison, Tricia Ronaldson and Suzanne Smith.
The Green Pencil Award encouraged young people to express their voices creatively in written form, with entries limited to one side of A4 and open to stories or poems in any style.
Twenty finalists were selected, with one crowned the overall winner and presented with the prestigious Green Pencil Award trophy and winner’s medal.
The Green Pencil was awarded to Preston Street Primary 7 pupil Ema Mene for her poem “To Edinburgh She Went” (pictured top).
Highly commended: Isobel Rhys-Davies, Cargilfield School (P6); Marcus Osborne, Bruntsfield Primary School (P6B); and Sofia Brown, James Gillespie’s High School (S1).
The Lord Provost Robert Aldridge praised all entrants for their enthusiasm and passion: “Creative writing ensures our stories are told and remembered. Edinburgh 900 is not only a celebration of the past but also a platform to inspire the future. These competitions show how deeply people care about the city and its legacy.
“Edinburgh has long been a city where literature thrives, as we mark 900 years these wonderful written pieces provide another meaningful way to honour the city’s legacy through the words of its people. My congratulations to our fantastic winners.”
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A packed programme of music, film and storytelling kicks off Edinburgh Tradfest next weekend (2 May to 12 May) thanks to continued support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation.
The Festival opens with Terra Kin supporting celebrated piper Ross Ainslie and the Sanctuary Band (Greg Lawson, Paul Towndrow, Steve Byrnes, Hamish Napier, James Lindsay, John Blease),who have featured on Ross’s last four albums including Pool released in 2024.
Terra Kin aka Hannah Findlay has been a dynamic force in Glasgow’s jazz, folk and pop scenes for many years, and for this year’s opening they will be joined by master musicians and rising stars: Su-a-Lee (cello), Roo Geddes (violin) Emma Pantel (violin) and Sarah Hanniffy (viola).
This opening night concert at the Queens Hall in Edinburgh kick starts an incredible 11 days of traditional and traditional-inspired music taking place at The Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, and other film and storytelling events happening across the City.
Other opening weekend highlights include Leveret, made up of some of the finest tunesmiths in modern folk music (Andy Cutting on melodeon, Sam Sweeney on fiddle, and Rob Harbron on English concertina); and the rich darkly-toned fiddle sounds of Lauren MacCollwho is joined by Rachel Newton (harp), Anna Massie (guitar), Mhairi Hall (piano), Mairearad Green (accordion) and James Lindsay on (bass) to play tunes from her most recent album Haar, along with a delve into her back catalogue.
This year’s festival commission on Monday night is For the Love of Trees featuring new tunes and old, by Mary Macmaster (The Poozies) and Donald Hay. Including The Cedar, Silent, a new piece about the tallest tree in Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens that was felled by Storm Éowyn earlier this year, The Trees by rock band Pulp, and Chraobh nan Ubhal a traditional Gaelic waulking song.
Joining them will be super group of Scottish traditional musicians: Amy MacDougall (vocals, sampling), Mairearad Green (accordion, pipes, vocals), Pete Harvey (cello) and Ciaran Ryan (banjo/fiddle/guitar); andspecial guest Fiona Soe Paing who will open the concert with a selection of her electro alt-folk sounds.
Other hot tickets include: The Traveling Janes; BBC Scotland’s Young Trad Winner Ellie Beaton; Seckou Keita dubbed the ‘Hendrix of the kora’; Virginia’s finest string band The Hot Seats; piping legends the Finlay Macdonald Band; national treasures the Siobhan Miller Band; and singer, broadcaster and cultural ambassador Joy Dunlop who is this year’s Rebellious Truth guest. She will be sharing her story on 11 May, from when she first learnt Gaelic at school in Oban, to reading the weather on the BBC.
Plus, on Saturday 3 May, folk musicians playing at any level, can take part in #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay by uploading a strathspey tune online using the hashtag, or by joining fiddlers, Anna Robertson, Catriona Price, Adam Sutherland and pianist extraordinaire Rory Matheson for a live afternoon of Scottish music to celebrate the beauty of the humble Strathspey. Alternatively, there is also the traditional May Day Parade which sets off down the Royal Mile at mid-day and finishes with a rally, music and speeches.
Fans of traditional storytelling can enjoy events at the Scottish Storytelling Centre including an introduction to Gaelic storytelling with the University of Edinburgh’s first Gaelic Writer in Residence Martin MacIntyre; storytelling from the Highlands and islands with Bea Fergusonand Heather Yule; and stories and songs told in the North-East Bothy Tradition by Phyll McBain, Jackie Ross, and ballad singer Allan Taylor, accompanied by fiddler Karin Paterson. In addition,storyteller Inez Alvarez Villa of TuFlamenco presents a tribute toFederico Garcia Lorca, Spain’s most iconic poet told through poetry and flamenco dance.
For film-goers there is this year’s Folk Film Gatherin’ – a fantastic programme of world film which includes a whole day dedicated to the late Douglas Eadie on Sunday, 11 May. This tribute includes screenings of docudrama An Ceasnachadh – An Interrogation of a Highland Lass starring a young Kathleen MacInnes, Ian MacRae and Dolina MacLennan.
The film tells the legendary story about the band of students who took the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey on Christmas morning 1950. National treasure Kathleen MacInnes, fresh from starring in the acclaimed production of Macbeth in London’s West End, will also perform her latest songs at the festival on Friday 9 May, all of which are set to appear on her next album.
Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “This year’s line-up represents the wealth of Scottish musical talent with some very special visitors from England and overseas.
“The breadth of musical brilliance that will open the festival next Friday at the Queens Hall is incredible, and reflects the festival’s strength of programme and position as a key player in Scotland’s year-round calendar of unmissable events.
“Be there!”
Edinburgh Tradfest runs from Friday 2 May to Monday 12 May.
A recruitment process has begun for a new head teacher at Fettes College in Edinburgh, with the current Head Helen Harrison announcing her retirement from the role next year. The school has commissioned a specialist firm to help identify candidates, with applications due by 15 May.
Named after its founder, Sir William Fettes, the school opened in 1870 and has around 720 students with over 300 staff. It is the only school in Scotland to offer the option of A-Levels or International Baccalaureate in the Sixth Form and a top ten IB School in the UK. Although it currently serves young people aged 7 – 18, from next academic year it will also open a Pre-Prep and offer places to children from age five.
The Rt Hon Lady Morag Wise, Chair of the Governors, said: “Helen has selflessly devoted herself to Fettes for over 30 years – 19 in a senior leadership role and latterly seven as Head.
“She has made a significant contribution to the success of this place and her vision for Fettes has steered a path that ensures our students leave Fettes knowing themselves, looking out for others and ready to make a positive mark on their rapidly changing world.
“We are now beginning the work of securing a new Head in partnership with Perrett Laver to ensure we have someone worthy of leading this great school. The Governing Body is seeking a visionary educationalist who will bring energy and experience to the role of Head from September 2026.
“This is a rare and career-defining opportunity for an outstanding leader.”
Helen Harrison said: “This place; the students and our staff mean the world to me, and it will always be the honour of my life to have led Fettes College and this community.
“I am immensely proud of our achievements, of seeing my vision for Fettes come to life, ground-breaking facilities under construction; and most importantly our students fulfilling their potential.
“However, by Founder’s Day next year it will be the right time to pass on this privilege to the next Head. Until that time it is business as usual and I will continue to give this job my absolute all.”
Detectives investigating a number of linked incidents in the East and West have arrested and charged eight people in the past week as officers take action across Scotland.
This brings the total number of arrests in connection with this investigation to 20.
On the evening of Wednesday, 23 April, 2025, a 16-year-old male youth and a 20-year-old man were arrested and charged in connection with five incidents of attempted murder and one of culpable and reckless fire-raising.
This follows a series of fire-raisings that have taken place across Glasgow in recent weeks. Both are due to appear in Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday, 25 April.
On Thursday, 24 April, 2025, officers executed warrants at two properties in South Queensferry. Firearms were seized from both addresses. Two men, aged 36 and 38, have been arrested and charged in connection with firearms offences. Both men are due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, 25 April.
These are in addition to four other arrests across the country in recent days.
Shortly after 2.35am on Saturday, 19 April, 2025, a vehicle failed to stop for officers in the Robroyston area of Glasgow following disruption activity. The car then left the scene before being abandoned on an offroad track near to Chryston a short time later.
Two men, aged 23 and 24, were arrested and charged in connection with conspiracy and a number of road traffic offences, all related to serious and organised crime. Both appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 22 April.
On Wednesday, 23 April, 2025, a 38-year-old man was arrested and charged in Edinburgh in connection with reset of a stolen vehicle, theft of fuel, road traffic offences, culpable and reckless behaviour and being in possession of weapons.
He was due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday – Thursday, 24 April.
A 16-year-old male was also arrested and charged with reset of a stolen vehicle and culpable and reckless behaviour. He was due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (Thursday, 24 April).
A dedicated team from our Specialist Crime Division is working alongside divisional officers to gather hundreds of pieces of evidence and build solid cases against those responsible for these targeted attacks.
Meanwhile, local officers have been carrying out intelligence-led patrols to disrupt the activities of criminals and build reassurance in our communities.
Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry said: “The arrests over the past week highlight the ongoing work that officers have been doing to target those responsible for these attacks.
“While we believe these incidents are linked to rival groups who are targeting each other, I want to make it clear this violence will not be tolerated.
“As well as carrying out these days of action and disruption activities, there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes, including exploring forensic opportunities and analysis of digital devices.
“While this may not be as visible, please be assured we are working tirelessly to build cases and are following a number of significant lines of enquiry.
“We have had a good response to our appeals and I want to thank the public for their help and information so far.
“The support of our communities is absolutely vital when it comes to tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims. Your information really can make a difference.
“If you know anything about who is responsible for these dangerous and abhorrent acts, please do the right thing and speak to us.”
Anyone who can assist our enquiries is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
We can now reveal the SURPRISE FILM selected by the North Edinburgh Arts Film Selection Group for the Folk Film Festival Opening Event this Saturday is… The Elephants’ Graveyard!
The Elephants’ Graveyard is a 1976 British drama television play. It was written by Peter McDougall for the BBC’s Play for Today. It stars Billy Connolly and Jon Morrison.
The event will also feature a special short film, Red Ash, as well as music and time for refreshments and discussions.
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