FRIDAY 27 & SATURDAY 28th MARCH at NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS
The North Edinburgh Film Festival is this Friday 27 March & Saturday 28 March, and you can now take a look at everything we’ve got lined up for you.
This year we’re in our brand new home at North Edinburgh Arts, and we’ve packed two days with over 60 films from across the world and right here in North Edinburgh, plus art installations, filmmaking workshops for all ages, a community lunch, and an Audience Awards Ceremony where you pick the best locally-made film.
From short films about working-class lives and social activism to animations, family-friendly screenings and special film screenings from Screen Education Edinburgh, there really is something for everyone.
It includes a rolling programme on BBC One Scotland during the day on Friday 8 May to report the breaking news from the declarations across the country
BBC Scotland has unveiled a wide range of television, radio, and digital content to serve audiences throughout the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election campaign.
It includes a rolling programme on BBC One Scotland and BBC Radio Scotland during the day on Friday 8 May to report the breaking news from the declarations across the country.
There will be no overnight declarations, with results instead being announced progressively the day after the 7 May poll has taken place.
Presented by Martin Geissler with Laura Miller and Gary Robertson in Pacific Quay, Glasgow, and Rebecca Curran in Holyrood, the programme will air from 9.30 am on BBC One Scotland, combining live declarations, interviews, and reporting from every count location across Scotland. There’ll also be extended teatime and late editions of Reporting Scotland, presented by Laura Goodwin.
Coverage of the campaign will also include a live leaders debate broadcast from Paisley Town Hall on Sunday 12 April on BBC One Scotland and iPlayer from 7.00 – 8.30 pm.
Hosted by Stephen Jardine, The Debate Night Leaders Special will feature leaders from the Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Greens, Scottish Labour, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party, and Reform UK.
There’ll also be three regular Debate Night editions in the campaign, including one with a focus on hearing from younger voters.
BBC Scotland News online will run a daily live page starting on Tuesday 7 April, with news, features and interviews from the campaigns, and in-depth analysis of the big issues.
Digital content will include short-form pieces themed around explainers, news roundups, and manifesto digests. These will be on BBC digital channels and on a range of prominent social media platforms.
The digital offering will also include an online policy grid – an interactive tool giving a summary of where the main parties stand on the issues that are most important to voters.
BBC Scotland News will also host several hustings events across the country for radio and online, featuring candidate debates in specific constituencies.
On BBC Radio Scotland, Radio Scotland Breakfast will conduct a series of leader interviews, offering listeners the opportunity to hear directly from those seeking election.
The leaders will take calls on Mornings after their Radio Scotland Breakfast interview.
The BBC Verify team in Scotland will contribute specialist analysis and verification throughout the campaign, helping audiences to navigate the information and claims that will be aired in the weeks before polling day.
Coverage will also feature BBC Your Voice, a cross-platform project designed to amplify audience voices. It aims to reflect what audiences are saying to the BBC and will cover the issues that affect them.
Scotcast, the news and current affairs podcast, will continue its series of interviews with the leaders of the larger parties which began last week.
Weekend flagship politics programme,The Sunday Show, which is simulcast on television and radio, will be extended to an hour on BBC One Scotland. Presented by Gary Robertson the programme will focus on the big issues that matter to voters.
There’ll be extensive coverage for Gaelic audiences throughout the campaign on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal’s news programming, on BBC ALBA’s daily news programme show An Là, and online at bbc.co.uk/naidheachdan. On Friday 8 May, there’ll be continuous content on radio and online as the results come in.
Howard Simpson, Head of News and Current Affairs, BBC Scotland, said: ‘The range of programming and journalism we’re announcing today reflects our commitment to serving audiences across Scotland with trusted, high quality election coverage.
“Our principal aim is to be led by the issues that matter most to our audiences.
“The campaign coverage has a level of ambition, scale and geographical reach that will ensure the voting public are kept fully informed as they engage in the democratic process.
‘We’ve built a results service that’s fast, comprehensive, and accessible wherever people are. Our teams across the country will bring unrivalled reporting, sharp analysis and clear explanations as the picture develops.’
A one-off payment of £2,000 will help every young person leaving care or continuing care from next month as they move towards adulthood.
The payment will benefit around 1,300 young people who leave care every year in Scotland. It was co-designed with input from young people with care experience to help support them as they move on from care and into adulthood and independent living, with some suggesting during consultation that it could help them with driving lessons or a new laptop to assist with studies.
The Care Leaver Payment forms part of the Scottish Government’s work to Keep ‘the Promise’ to Scotland’s care experienced young people by 2030.
The Scottish Government is fully funding the payment, and has worked in partnership with COSLA to ensure it will be delivered automatically to young people as they leave care by local authorities.
Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for The Promise, met young people with care experience who stand to receive the payment at Falkirk Champs, a group led by care experienced young people working to drive positive change for their peers.
A one-off payment of £2,000 will help every young person leaving care or continuing care from next month as they move towards adulthood.
Ms Don-Innes said: “We know that care experienced people do not necessarily have the same informal support network that other young people have during transition points in their lives, and how crucial support during their transition to adulthood can be.
“Through close-working with young people we have designed a payment that will help young people leaving care with additional financial security during this important period.
“This is yet another strand of our work to keep the Promise, alongside wider work including the transformative supports now underpinned by the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) Bill recently passed by Parliament.”
Joseph, 13, is a care-experienced champion at Falkirk Champs who lives in kinship care with his family. He will receive the payment when he leaves care. Joseph said:
“I think the Care Leaver’s Payment is good, and I will probably use it towards driving lessons or to give me a chance to travel. I would also like to be a chef, and it could help me buy tools and equipment that would help me in my career.”
Sarah Stow, Champions Board Coordinator at Falkirk Champs, said: “The Care leavers payment is one of the many small but vital things that need to happen to help Scotland keep its promise to the Care Community.
“These young people are ours and we need to invest in their futures – I think about this payment as the nest egg a grandparent or parent might save for their loved one.
“A wee step up for our children at a time when they are ready to move forward.”
THE Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill, known as Calum’s Law, was passed into law in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.
This landmark legislation will put guidance on the use of restraint and seclusion in schools on a statutory footing – the first of the UK nations to do so.
Introduced last year by Daniel Johnson MSP, the Bill attracted cross-party support for its improved protections focused on guidance for education providers, duty to inform parents/carers, duty to record and report and quality assurance of training providers.
The Restraint Reducation Network (RNN) has campaigned for statutory guidance in schools for many years and are delighted to see this commitment to greater protections for children and young people’s rights.
Ben Higgins, RRN CEO said: “Today’s vote is a vital step forward in enacting better protections for the rights of children and young people and to eliminating the misuse of restraint.
“The development of the associated statutory guidance will be key to upholding the intentions of the Bill, and ensuring its implementation is effective.
“We congratulate our Trustee, Beth Morrison, her son Calum, and colleague, Kate Sanger, for their steadfast campaigning on this issue over the past fourteen years.
“They have been the driving force behind Calum’s Law, knowing firsthand the trauma caused by restraint within schools. Their commitment to bringing about change based on the terrible experiences of their children is inspiring.”
The RRN hopes that this legislation sets a powerful precedent, inspiring other UK nations to enact similar statutory protections.
A 39-year-old man has been arrested after a man was found injured in Wardlaw Street, yesterday (Tuesday, 24 March, 2026).
Officers were called to property around 2.40pm and a 50-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment. Hospital staff describe his condition as serious but not critical.
Detective Inspector Alan Sharp said: “Our enquiries are ongoing in the Wardlaw Street area.We would urge any witnesses or anyone with information which may assist our investigation to contact us.”
Anyone with information should contact 101 quoting incident number 1900 of 24 March. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.
Routemap to realising economic and social gains for people across Scotland
People will be able to benefit from warmer homes, lower bills, greater job opportunities and be less exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices under plans to cut emissions published today.
Scotland’s Climate Change Plan: 2026-2040 sets out over 150 actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next 15 years, bringing over £42.3 billion in financial benefits and cost savings to the economy over the same period.
Scotland is already over halfway to net zero having reduced emissions by 51.3% since 1990 – the largest reduction in the UK and faster than the EU average, using comparable statistics.
Climate action is not only essential to protecting our future.
When done correctly, it offers one of the greatest opportunities to create jobs and prosperity for our communities.
The final plan details how Scotland will meet our next three carbon budgets, along with a range of delivery indicators. These include:
setting a target to decarbonise heat in buildings by 2045
phasing out the need for new diesel and petrol cars by 2030
increasing woodland creation so that by 2029-30, 18,000 hectares are planted every year, with 21% woodland cover in Scotland by 2032
increasing peatland restoration by 10% each year to 2030
Actions in the Climate Change Plan will also contribute to both the Environment Strategy, and the Circular Economy Strategy, also published today.
The new Environment Strategy creates an integrated framework for environment and climate policies, while harnessing the powerful synergies between the health of our environment, the well-being of Scotland’s people and the success of our economy while the Circular Economy Strategy underpins delivery of our climate goals by cutting the amount of waste produced in Scotland, and managing our resources more sustainably, to reduce emissions.
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “The Climate Change Plan is Scotland’s pathway to net zero and outlines the action we will take to meet our first three carbon budgets.
“However it is also a routemap to realising economic and social gains for people across Scotland as part of a fair and just transition. It highlights the potential of growth areas ranging from renewables to heat networks to the circular economy, and sets out our commitment to increase investment in areas that will simultaneously decarbonise Scotland and improve our lives.
“Together with the Environment Strategy and Circular Economy Strategy, our Climate Change Plan forms a blueprint for how we will use this once-in-a-generation opportunity for transformation to reduce emissions while ensuring that our economy prospers, our communities are supported to become more resilient to the effects of climate change and to redress the issues of poverty and energy security that affect individual households.”
To celebrate World Theatre Day (27 March), Vue Edinburgh is highlighting upcoming theatre and opera productions showing on the big screen. Featuring shows from the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Ballet & Opera and National Theatre Live, audiences can enjoy world-class stage productions from the comfort of their local Vue.
The show begins today (24 March) with the Metropolitan’s Opera production of Tristan und Isolde, one of the most celebrated works in the operatic repertoire. Richard Wagner’s epic tale explores themes of longing, love and fate through the relationship of Irish princess Isolde and the knight Tristan.
This new rendition features acclaimed soprano Lise Davidsen in the title role alongside tenor Michael Spyres, bringing Wagner’s powerful and emotionally charged score to cinemas worldwide.
From the Royal Ballet & Opera is another classic from Wagner, Siegfried. Screening on 31 March, follow the titular character as he navigates self-discovery, mythical creatures and long-hidden secrets.
On 16 April, Arthur Miller’s powerful drama All My Sons arrives on the big screen via National Theatre Live.
Set in post-war America, the gripping play centres on a successful family business whose past decisions during wartime begin to resurface, forcing those involved to confront questions of responsibility, guilt and moral compromise.
Bryan Cranston and Marianne Jean-Baptiste feature in the five-star, triumphantly acclaimed production.
For those looking for something more magical, on 21 April the Royal Ballet & Opera’s enchanting production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute promises a visually spectacular experience.
This beloved opera blends comedy, romance and fantasy as Prince Tamino embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Pamina, guided by the mysterious power of a magical flute and accompanied by the unforgettable bird-catcher Papageno.
Rounding off the programme on 30 April is the dazzling musical favourite Funny Girl – The Musical. The beloved production tells the story of legendary performer Fanny Brice and her rise to fame, featuring iconic songs including “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “People”, as it charts Brice’s journey from ambitious performer to Broadway star.
General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh, said: “World Theatre Day is a celebration of the creativity, passion and artistry that make live performance so special.
“These screenings bring the magic of some of the world’s greatest stages directly to the big screen. From powerful operatic epics to unforgettable drama and musicals, we are proud to give theatre lovers a chance to experience incredible performances in a new way.”
Edinburgh customers can support families facing financial difficulties during the Easter school holidays by picking up an extra bag to put through the checkout at Tesco stores.
The donation bags, which cost between £2 and £5, are pre-packed with healthy long life food items. They will be available in every large Tesco store in and around Edinburgh during the Easter break (30 March 30 to 12 April) to make donating the most-needed items to the charities FareShare & The Felix Project and Trussell easier than ever.
The Easter Holiday Helps initiative is part of Tesco’s year-round support for schoolchildren and families. This includes the Fruit and Veg for Schools programme, which helps schools with the highest rates of free school meals by offering grants for purchasing fruit and vegetables from Tesco stores. The scheme also helps children to get healthier snack choices and lunch options while they’re at school.
Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, said: “Holiday periods can be really tough for Edinburgh families who miss out on their free school meal provision, meaning it’s hard to make sure kids get healthy nutritious food.
“Our pre-packed donation bags will give a much-needed boost of food to FareShare & The Felix Project and Trussell and make a difference to the lives of children and their families, giving them vital support over the school holidays.”
Trussell says that foodbank use remains 45% higher than in 2019 before the pandemic, with foodbanks in the Trussell community providing the equivalent of one parcel every 12 seconds throughout 2025.
Parents are among the people shouldering the heaviest burden, as families with children received almost two-thirds (62%) of all parcels in 2025.
Tesco continues to support FareShare & The Felix Project and other community groups year-round by redistributing unsold food from all its Edinburgh stores as part of its Community Food Connection programme, which provides thousands of meals locally. Customers can also donate the value of their Clubcard vouchers to either FareShare & The Felix Project or Trussell online.
Matthew van Duyvenbode, Co-CEO at Trussell, said: “Tesco’s Easter pre-packed donation bags are such a great way to make it easier for people to support children and families in their local communities. With some children missing out on free school meals and parents facing additional food costs, it makes it even harder to cover the essentials we all need.
“No-one should face hunger – these extra donations make all the difference to ensure more families can put food on their tables. Tesco has stepped up to help once again. Thank you so much to Tesco customers for playing your part. We are extremely grateful.”
Customers can donate any long-life items to support FareShare & The Felix Project and Trussell, but their most-needed items are tinned meat and fish, long life fruit juice, cooking/pasta sauces, tinned vegetables, and tinned and dried soup.
Charlotte Hill, CEO at FareShare & The Felix Project, said: “Many of the charities receiving food through our network support families with children. They tell us that the school holidays can be especially hard for parents who are already struggling, which is why initiatives like Tesco’s Easter Holiday Helps are so important.
“These pre-packed donation bags make it easy for shoppers to donate long-life items that help charities and make a real difference to families in need. We are so grateful to Tesco and all their customers for their ongoing support, helping us get nourishing food to people and families, one donation bag at a time.”
Other key items that can be donated as part of the scheme are pasta, rice and noodles, cereal and porridge, tea and coffee, sponge/rice pudding, and UHT and powered milk.
We feel so honored to have been first community group to be lucky enough to visit the beautifully restored Palm Houses since their closure in 2021
This was the perfect opportunity to gain insight into the history of the building, the restoration process, and some amazing garden stories related to this space!
Huge thank you to the Palm Houses Engagement team at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for the invitation and creating such an informative and interactive tour!
We can’t wait to welcome the full opening of the Palm Houses and return again!
Smoking rates in Scotland have halved, and thousands of lives have been saved since smokefree legislation came into force twenty years ago. As the anniversary approaches, Public Health Scotland (PHS) is highlighting the profound impact of the ban — a public health success story that continues to shape the nation’s wellbeing.
A new report, published today by PHS, shows the positive impact this decisive measure has had on non-smokers too. The legislation protected most people in Scotland from breathing in cigarette smoke during their daily lives and the public health gains are clear.
The reduction in second-hand smoke exposure resulted in fewer deaths and hospitalisations from heart attacks and strokes, as well as having a positive impact on the health of pregnant women and their babies.
What’s more, today’s report highlights that we have made significant shifts in how we view tobacco in Scotland, with smoking having become less socially acceptable.
Commenting on the 20th anniversary of the implementation of Scotland’s smoke free legislation, Dr Garth Reid, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland, said: “Smoking is one of the biggest causes of ill health and premature death in Scotland.
“Thanks to the smoking ban we have historically low smoking rates in Scotland, and we’re keen to encourage more people to give up smoking as we progress to becoming smoke-free in 2034.
“Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the benefits start to happen quickly – even for people who have smoked for a long time.
“Whether you’re ready to stop, or just beginning to think about it, the NHS Scotland stop smoking service, Quit Your Way, and your local pharmacy are here to help you stop smoking and stay stopped in a way that is right for you.”
Dr Rishma Maini, Consultant in Public Health at PHS said: “Scotland’s smoking ban shows that bold, preventative action works.We now have an opportunity to apply that same ambition to other major drivers of ill health, including overweight and obesity.
“For example, legislation and regulation to improve the food environment could make it easier and more affordable to access a healthy diet. If we get this right, we can deliver the same scale of change again, improving health and wellbeing for people across Scotland.”
Public Health Scotland is the lead national agency for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of all of Scotland’s people. We lead and support work across Scotland to prevent disease, prolong healthy life, reduce health inequalities and promote health and wellbeing.
View the brochure online and start planning your visit – http://northedinburgharts.co.uk/north-edinburgh-film…/
North Edinburgh Arts, 12C MacMillan Square
Friday 27 March 10am–8:30pm
