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.
Thousands of families to gain new opportunities to learn, earn and thrive
As a result of £21 million of new, targeted investment in colleges and skills, families at risk of poverty will receive additional support to train, to help them enter stable, well-paid work or progress in their career.
The Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan includes £9 million for a Raising Income through Skills and Education (RISE) Fund, which will give parents and carers practical help to build new skills – offering training they can fit around family life, along with essential support with childcare, travel, and study costs.
A £2 million Training Access Fund will support working adult learners most at risk of poverty to access skills training, to give them the chance to earn more and build a stable career.
A new £10 million Flexible Workforce Development Fund will aim to incentivise businesses to offer training opportunities to parents earning low incomes in a way that meets employer needs while helping working parents and carers increase their earning potential and progress in their careers.
Further Education Minister Ben Macpherson said: “We are committed to making sure that education and training works for everyone, especially those who need it most, as part of our wider efforts to eradicate poverty in Scotland.
“Every person deserves opportunities to build a better future for themselves and their household. This £21 million package of targeted investment in skills will help remove barriers to training, such as childcare and transport costs, which can too often stand between parents and the skills that they need to get on in work.”
Gavin Donoghue, Chief Executive of Colleges Scotland, said: “Colleges are strong community anchors across the country, and the funding pledged kick starts a range of ways that colleges can accelerate and expand programmes that support people to leave poverty.
“The investment into more anti-poverty programmes is welcome recognition of the huge part that colleges play in making people’s lives better.
“Colleges are an opportunity that works, serving learners from some of Scotland’s most deprived communities and are a driving force for social good in every part of the country.”
Jacqui Brasted, Scottish Funding Council Director of Access, Learning and Outcomes, said: “Every child should have the opportunity to flourish. Scotland’s colleges can play a vital role in transforming lives by providing a lasting route out of poverty.
“They offer access to the skills and education needed to support families enter, remain and progress in work. We are delighted to be working with Colleges Scotland to ensure that the welcome funding provided by the Scottish Government is targeted where it is needed most.”
ROYAL COLLEGE of EMERGENCY MEDICINE RELEASES NEW REPORT
Without a sustained political focus on reducing extreme long waits in Scotland’s Emergency Departments, it could take more than 200 years to reduce the number of people enduring these waits down to levels seen in 2016.
That’s the warning from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine following new analysis published today (24 March).
Last year, more than 75,077 people waited 12 hours or more to be admitted, discharged or transferred from major EDs in Scotland.
While this number is an ever so slight improvement from 2024 (76,510), at the current rate (a reduction of 1.8% a year) it would take 237 years to reduce these extreme long waits to their 2016 levels (1,005).
These statistics and latest analysis are contained in RCEM’s ‘State of Emergency Medicine in Scotland’ report, published today. It sets out what patients and staff faced in Emergency Departments across the country last year, including the very real impact long waits are having on patients.
Further analysis for the previous year (2025) reveals of those patients who waited 12 hours or more, 58,870 were waiting to be admitted to a hospital ward for further care.
Using the Standard Mortality Ratio – a method which calculates that there will be one additional (excess) death for every 72 patients that spend eight–12-hours in ED prior to their admission – RCEM conservatively estimates that there were 818 associated excess deaths related with long waiting times in 2025.
That’s the lives of 16 people lost every week. And remains unchanged from the previous year.
Dr Jayne McLaren, RCEM’s Vice Chair in Scotland, said: “It’s deeply concerning, and put bluntly, a national disgrace, that over the course of a year, there has been no meaningful improvement in the number of patients waiting 12 hours or more in Emergency Departments across the country.
“A small reduction of just over 1,400 patients waiting this long in the space of a year is nothing to celebrate. Because look at the sheer scale who still waited this long – 75,077. These are people not just numbers. And more often than not, they would’ve experienced this extreme wait on a trolley in a corridor, or another inappropriate space that was never designed to deliver care in.
“But what’s most upsetting, as an Emergency Medicine consultant, whose whole profession is to help people in their time of need, is seeing how many people died because of the system not working as it should.
“Ultimately, because there wasn’t an inpatient bed for them when they needed to be moved to a ward.
“People are losing their lives. And today’s figures suggest that the same number of people died in association with long waits as in 2024.
“This is a conservative estimate too. We know there may well be many more tragic deaths linked to long stays because this methodology only applies to one group of patients.
“That needs to spark anger and upset from those in power to bring about the changes that are desperately needed in our hospital system.
“Our State of Emergency Care report should serve as essential reading for ministers, NHS leaders and policymakers. It sets out clear, practical recommendations to make our emergency care system something that we can be proud of once again.
“Patients, and those working within our Emergency Departments deserve so much better – a service that is safe, timely, and fit for purpose.”
The SS Explorer Preservation Society is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a grant of £157,115 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to enable us to protect and preserve SS Explorer – one of Scotland’s National Historic Ships.
SS Explorer, built in 1955, is Scotland’s first purpose-built Fisheries Research Vessel, the last vessel with a riveted steel hull built by Alexander Hall & Co’s shipyard in Aberdeen with one of the last triple-expansion steam engines built in Scotland, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Ships. However, the vessel’s true significance lies in its scientific legacy through research in marine biology, fish stock assessment, pollution monitoring and climate change studies.
At a time when SS Explorer – currently berthed in the Edinburgh Dock in the Port of Leith – is taking an active part in the Edinburgh Science Festival and the Society has welcomed aboard a record number of visitors, the funding award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will make it possible to continue to preserve SS Explorer, protect the vessel against further deterioration, expand our community outreach and strengthen our organisation for the major works programme required to achieve our vision.
We will also commission a feasibility study addressing the sustainability of the ship in its future role as a museum ship and visitor destination.
Completion of this stage will be followed by moving the ship to a new publicly accessible berth in the Edinburgh Dock as the area is redeveloped into a new residential and leisure community.
Richard Morrison, Chair of the SS Explorer Preservation Society said:“We are absolutely delighted to have secured this funding from the Heritage Fund and would like to thank National Lottery players who made it possible.
“Our volunteers and supporters work incredibly hard and share a vision of Explorer playing a role that goes beyond being a historic ship and heritage attraction. Fascinating and important as her history is this project is just as much about her future as an asset to Leith.
“A learning resource, an opportunity for people to get involved, to learn new skills, and to make new community connections.”
As the local constituency MSP for Leith, Ben Macpherson MSP said: “I am extremely pleased that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has chosen to allocate this grant.
“This funding brings timely support to the SS Explorer Preservation Society’s sustained efforts to ensure the future of one of Scotland’s unique historic ships and convert it into a local visitor attraction.
“Using this funding award, in the near future Leith can look forward to the implementation of the next crucial stage in the process of turning the SS Explorer into an accessible, engaging heritage landmark in its home port.
“I have been proud to support the SS Explorer Preservation Society’s ambitions for several years, and congratulate and thank all of those involved in achieving this recent success in driving the project forward.”
Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, said:“Through four decades the SS Explorer, as the first purpose built Scottish Fisheries Research Vessel, collected data that now gives us invaluable information about our seas and underlines its significance to Scotland’s maritime and scientific heritage.
“Thanks to National Lottery players this funding will support the Preservation Society to help save the SS Explorer, tackling immediate repair needs while moving forward their plans to bring SS Explorer back into service once again, this time as a significant heritage attraction in Leith and a valuable community resource.”
About Explorer
A pioneer in climate science and biodiversity work, the steamship Explorer was in service for Marine Lab Torry, part of the Scottish Home Department, from 1956 to 1984. Its scientific mission was to investigate British fish breeding and feeding grounds to better understand fishing levels and species types in support of the Scottish fishing industry.
The ship also monitored pollution, sea temperature, and fish diseases that might adversely affect catches. The valuable scientific work conducted on board by many eminent scientists continues today to contribute to our knowledge of oceanography, marine life and the importance of maintaining healthy oceans.
It was the first ship to carry a computer on board to help with processing the huge amounts of data the scientists were generating at sea.
To find out more about our plans or to support us through volunteering or donations please visit https://www.theexplorer.scot/ .
For further information, please contact our chair Richard Morrison via email@theexplorer.scot
After four years of tree-planting, the “Cramond Commemorates” project culminated on Friday (20 March) with a celebration event for everyone who donated and dedicated a tree.
The project came about as the world emerged from the Covid19 pandemic when so much had been lost. It quickly developed into a commemoration, not only of experiences missed, but also of loved ones who died.
Some 58 trees were planted in four locations: Cramond Hall grounds, Cramond House parkland, Cramond Walled Garden and Cramond Primary School grounds.
All the plantings have been carefully recorded and mapped, and appear with their individual dedications on a website that showcases the project https://www.cramondcommemorates.com
Rev Ian Gilmour, who came up with the tree planting idea, said: “Dedicating a tree to someone whom you’ve loved and lost can be a means of having a tangible reminder of their presence and a focal point for remembrance.
“The Cramond Commemorates plantings represent a living heritage of people with a connection to the area or to Cramond Kirk.
“As well as enhancing the environment and the beauty of the area, these trees are symbols of renewal and a reassurance that life goes on.”
The first tree, a Sessile Oak, was planted in November 2021 by pupils from Cramond Primary and Cargilfield Schools. Other varieties include Beech, Maple, Silver Birch, Rowan and Sycamore, as well as a number of fruit trees.
John Naylor chose a James Grieve apple tree in memory of his wife Margery who died in 2022. He said: “Margery was a lover of trees and of Cramond. She was Secretary, then President, of the Cramond Association and a great supporter of the Woodland Group.
“What better way of celebrating and remembering her life well lived.”
Christine Roy dedicated a Wheelers Russet apple tree to her late husband, Jim. She said: “Jim loved his garden, trees and everything outdoors in nature.
“My sons and I thought it would be a lovely way to remember him. Somewhere that we and the grandchildren could go and see the tree grow over time in a woodland setting. We have planted bulbs around it, and had a little plaque made.”
Lending itself to an obvious choice of memorial tree, the song ‘O Rowan Tree’ was a favourite of Dorothy Spence’s grandmother, a member of Cramond Kirk from 1882 till 1958, now buried in the Kirkyard with her husband and two sons.
The event was attended by many of the tree donors and organisations involved in supporting the project: Cramond Association’s Woodland Group, Cramond Estate, local poet David Bleiman, Edinburgh Council’s Parks and Greenspaces.
Many of the Cramond Community became involved in clearing and preparing ground for tree plantings.
When new trees required watering in their early days, local schoolchildren, Cubs and Scouts saved the day by forming bucket chains to areas which hose-pipes could not reach!
Working people will be protected from unfair price rises with new plans set out by the government today to detect and crack down on companies if they exploit the crisis in the Middle East.
Ministers are concerned that some companies could exploit the crisis to carry out price gouging – when a company puts prices up to an unfair and unjustifiably high level during a crisis, knowing that customer have little choice but to pay.
To deal with this unfair practice, a new anti-profiteering framework is being brought in by the Government and regulators like the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to clamp down on price gouging if it takes place.
As part of that, the government will not hesitate to introduce new time-limited, targeted powers for the CMA and other key regulators if that is needed, and the exact powers are being worked through at pace.
The move will further strengthen our world-class competition and consumer protection regime, which is already protecting households, and comes as the CMA have stepped up their monitoring of fuel prices and accelerated their review of fuel margins made by businesses since the conflict began.
The announcement follows the Chancellor and Energy Secretary’s meeting with petrol retailers to discuss what more can be done to support motorists with the cost of living, and the Chancellor is expected to meet with supermarkets and banks to discuss how they can support consumers in the coming days.
A Government spokesperson said:“We are fighting your corner to keep the cost of living down in these uncertain times. We will not allow companies to exploit this crisis to hike their prices to unjustifiable levels.
“Whether at the fuel pump filling up your car or at the till paying for your groceries, we are working with regulators to make sure the price you pay is a fair one.”
The Chancellor will deliver more details later today.
Research challenges political assumptions and highlights widespread concern about wealthinequality
A new national study from Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland has found overwhelming concern about wealth inequality and strong backing for fairer taxation of wealth, including among people in higher-income households, challenging the common assumption that such reforms lack public support.
Key findings include:
• 85% support increasing taxes on the wealthy
• 90% say wealth inequality is more harmful than good for Scottish society
• 83% say the wealth gap is too large
• Two-thirds would prefer higher taxes to protect public services rather than cuts
Concern about inequality and backing for fairer taxation were consistent across income levels, age groups, and social backgrounds.
Participants described wealth inequality as damaging to people’s security, opportunities, and quality of life. Many said those with the greatest wealth should contribute more, particularly to support public services.
There is also strong public backing for specific reforms. Around 70% of people supported changes to ensure those with higher-value properties pay more council tax, reflecting broader support for progressive taxation.
Participants consistently linked their views on taxation to fairness and public benefit. Support was strongest where people believed the system was fair, transparent, and clearly linked to protecting public services such as healthcare, education, and local communities.
Lisa Hough-Stewart, Director, Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland and a member of the campaign Tax Justice Scotland, said: “This research shows clearly that people across Scotland are deeply concerned about wealth inequality and strongly support fairer taxation of wealth.
“For too long, political debate has assumed that taxing wealth is unpopular or politically impossible. Our findings show that this is not the case.
“Support comes from across society — including people who recognise they may need to contribute more.
“People recognise the role public services play in supporting everyone in society, and believe those with the greatest wealth should contribute more to sustain them.
“Public opinion is not the barrier to reform. The public is ready for change.”
The findings come at a time of continued pressure on public services and growing debate about inequality, taxation, and Scotland’s public finances. The Scottish Fiscal Commission has forecast a shortfall of £4.7 billion by 2029-30 even to fund existing spending commitments.
Support for tax reform was closely linked to fairness and trust. Participants emphasised the importance of ensuring that tax changes are proportionate, transparently implemented, and designed so those with the greatest wealth contribute their fair share.
The results add to mounting calls for a fairer tax system. Tax Justice Scotland – a campaign backed by more than 50 organisations, from anti-poverty and environment charities to social enterprise bodies, academics, policy think tanks and trade unions – is calling for fair tax reform at UK and Scotland levels.
Ahead of the Scottish election, it is urging every party to set out Tax Justice Plans to ensure national and local taxes in Scotland do more to help tackle inequality, poverty and the climate crisis while fairly generating additional money to invest in crucial public services.
Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland and a member of Tax Justice Scotland, said: “People in Scotland are well ahead of the current political debate on inequality and tax. They can see too much wealth sitting in too few hands while children live in poverty and public services struggle and people know that’s not right.
“Most of us are willing to pay a bit more to support the services we all rely on but we expect the money to be spent wisely and those with the deepest pockets to contribute properly too. That it isn’t radical or complicated economics, it’s basic fairness.
“With the Scottish election fast approaching, every party should set out how they will help deliver a fairer tax system within the next Scottish Parliament.”
The study draws on nationally representative research conducted with more than 2,300 people across Scotland, alongside in-depth focus groups exploring attitudes to wealth inequality, taxation, and council tax reform.
COMPETITION AND MARKETS AUTHORITY SETS OUT REFORMS
The CMA has set out its final reforms – which will start coming into force later this year – to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market.
Legally binding measures include price lists, prescription fee caps, a price comparison website and mandatory branding by the large groups to boost competition and drive down prices
Pet owners using a vet practice that is part of a larger chain can expect to see changes before Christmas – including standard price lists
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK, after an independent inquiry group found that the current system is leaving pet owners in the dark. A lack of information that helps people make informed decisions is leading to weak competition and high prices.
An unprecedented response from both the public and the sector has help to shape the CMA’s final report, which green lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.
The investigation has intensified public scrutiny of the veterinary services industry, yet the professionalism, compassion, and commitment to animal welfare shown by veterinary professionals remains unquestioned.
We’ve set out major reforms to the UK’s veterinary sector now our market investigation is complete.
Our reforms will help pet owners better navigate the vet services market and will start coming into force later this year.
— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) March 24, 2026
Martin Coleman, Chair of the independent Inquiry Group, said: “This is the most extensive review of veterinary services in a generation, and today’s reforms will make a real difference to the millions of pet owners who want the best for their pets but struggle to find the practice, treatment and price that meets their needs.
“Too often, people are left in the dark about who owns their practice, treatment options and prices – even when facing bills running into thousands of pounds.
“Our measures mean it will be made clear to pet owners which practices are part of large groups, which are charging higher prices, and for the first time, vet businesses will be held to account by an independent regulator.
“Our changes put pet owners at the centre but also help vets by enhancing trust in the profession and protecting clinical judgement from undue commercial pressure – and that is important to ensure our pets continue to get the best care.”
The report outlines the final remedies and recommendations which together will transform the market.
More details on when the changes will happen can be found in the timetable for remedies.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA), which represents more than 19,000 individual vets across the UK, welcomes the majority of the measures, particularly those designed to improve transparency and consumer choice, outlined by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as it publishes its final decision following more than two years of investigation into the UK vet services market for household pets.
British Veterinary Association President Dr. Rob Williams MRCVS said:“Vets care deeply for animals and anything we can do to build trust between us and their owners is a good thing.
“The majority of the CMA’s measures focus on increasing transparency and information, which will help pet owners make more informed choices and support competition, which is a really positive step.
“We’re also pleased to see that the CMA continues to support our calls for reform of the woefully outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act, including the introduction of vet practice regulation, which will go a long way to addressing many of the issues its investigation raised.
“Delivering highly skilled veterinary medicine is costly and whilst we recognise prices have risen sharply in recent years this is due to a number of factors, including the higher costs all businesses are experiencing – and vet practices are not immune.
“Plus, thanks to advances in diagnostics and medical technology over the last 20 years, vets can now do much more to manage disease and injury in animals, whereas in the past the only option available may have been to euthanase.
“Owners today also have a greater expectation of their vet, with many expecting human quality healthcare for their pets and whilst this is possible to deliver, it comes at a cost.
“If pet owners do have concerns about cost, talk to us, we will always do our best to help.”
