Where is the Best Community Pub in Edinburgh?

Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 Adds Two New Categories and Voting Deadline Extended!



Scotland’s hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened! Two brand new categories have been added to this year’s awards lineup: Community Pub of the Year and Hotel Bar of the Year, recognising the vital role these venues play in Scottish hospitality!

To give these deserving establishments the recognition they’ve earned, voting has been extended until Friday 20th June – giving customers extra time to back their favourites for glory!

With the deadline looming, now’s your last chance to rally behind the venues and hospitality heroes who deserve their moment in the spotlight. Make sure they’re in the running!

From bustling bars and traditional pubs to vibrant restaurants and buzzing late-night venues – plus the bartending talent behind the magic – it’s time to propel your local hospitality heroes onto the national stage.

This year’s stellar lineup includes categories like Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award, De Kuyper Award for Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues, Favela Independent Multiple Operator of the Year, HOSPO Manager of the Year and Jameson Best Irish Bar – proving there’s a spotlight waiting for every corner of Scotland’s hospitality scene.

Event organiser, Susan Young said, “These category additions reflect the incredible diversity of Scotland’s bar and pub scene. Community pubs are the heartbeat of Scottish towns and villages, while hotel bars deliver world-class experiences that put Scotland on the global hospitality map. Both deserve their moment in the spotlight.

“We’ve been thrilled by the outstanding entries received thus far, and there’s still time to nominate the bars and people who make Scotland’s hospitality scene truly special. It’s time to help us celebrate the incredible talent across the country!”

Marking three decades as Scotland’s premier licensed trade awards, the 2025 ceremony celebrates a milestone 30th year. Judges will once again embark on covert missions across the country, conducting mystery visits from the Highlands to the Borders to uncover Scotland’s hospitality gems.

Voting is easy, just go to www.scottishbarandpubawards.com and you can vote in as many different categories as you like. Voting closes on the 20th of June, finalists will be announced, and the winners will be crowned at the glittering award ceremony in Glasgow on the 26th of August!

You can also find a full list of all categories on the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards website and socials.

Deadline for Nominations – 20th June 2024

For a full list of categories and to vote please go to:

www.scottishbarandpubawards.com

Or vote by emailing:

entrysbpa@mediaworldltd.com and tell us your nominations and why they should win.

Follow us online:

https://www.facebook.com/scottish.bar.pub.awards/ https://www.instagram.com/scottishbarpubawards/

Ratho nursery pupils enjoy Julia Donaldson adventure

Ratho primary and nursery pupils were treated to a special reading from Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated Axel Scheffler at Ratho Library on Wednesday (11 June).

The children were also each gifted a copy of the classic story, which has inspired a special artwork inside the new Ratho Library. This was unveiled when the library opened its doors in March.

A quote from the book was chosen by the local community in 2023, when a public vote was held to select words for the artwork from a range of beloved children’s books. The winning quote is now displayed above the children’s library section, alongside illustrations of Rowena frog and other characters from the book.

Each child who attends the early years centre adjacent to the new library was given a copy of Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by publishers Macmillan Children’s Books to celebrate its opening.

Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Margaret Graham said: “It’s wonderful to see some of our youngest library-goers enjoying the new space at Ratho, and even better, their very own copies of Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book!

“I recently visited the library and was really impressed with all that’s on offer, including this striking artwork, which clearly has the community at its heart. Their involvement, along with our dedicated team at the library and Macmillan Children’s Books, has helped to create a design which will inspire young minds for years to come.

“Thanks to Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler and Macmillan for their support throughout this process, including the gift of these books to our local nursery pupils, which I know will be well-loved.”

Julia Donaldson said: “I have long campaigned on the valuable role that public libraries play in communities and in developing a love of books, and I am very pleased that there is now this new library in Ratho.

“I want to thank everyone who voted to see ‘Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book’ featured on the walls in the children’s area and I hope this joyful space introduces a new generation of readers to stories they will treasure for life.”

Axel Scheffler said: “It is an honour to know that ‘Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book’ was chosen by the local community in Ratho to feature in their new library.

“I would like to thank them all and also the librarian team who have worked so hard to make this happen. I am so pleased that Rowena frog and Charlie will welcome young readers into the children’s area and I hope they will inspire families to discover great new books together.”

On Wednesday, pupil librarians from Ratho Primary School helped publishers Macmillan Children’s Books to gift a copy of the book to a small group of nursery children to then take back to share with the other children at the nursery.

Ratho Library offers a broad range of services to customers, including access to a wide variety of digital and printed books, free public access to computers, free public Wi-Fi, collection of NHS hearing Aid batteries, support with National Entitlement Cards alongside an exciting programme of events and activities for children and adults.

The library will host Tech Donation Boxes later in the year where everyday tech devices can be upcycled.

“Exciting” drug study could detect unrecognised cancer symptoms earlier

An innovative new study, funded by Cancer Research UK, aims to identify patients with early signs of cancer through medications they are prescribed before they are diagnosed with the disease.

It’s hoped the project could help identify various cancers at an early stage when treatment is more likely to be effective.

A team of researchers including Professor Chris Cardwell, Professor Carmel Hughes, Dr Sarah Baxter, Dr David Wright and Dr Blánaid Hicks of Queen’s University Belfast with Professor Peter Murchie of the University of Aberdeen, will study extensive anonymised medical information to identify treatments given to people who are then diagnosed with cancer.

The research will be the first of its kind to study prescription information comprehensively in the UK. Similar studies have been carried out overseas and smaller studies conducted looking at fewer cancer types in the UK.

Previous studies have already shown increased use of pain and indigestion medication in women with ovarian cancer up to eight months before diagnosis and increases in haemorrhoid treatments in patients with colorectal cancer up to 15 months before diagnosis.

Professor Chris Cardwell, of Queen’s University Belfast, said: “Our study has the potential to identify previously unrecognised medications which are newly used in the period up to two years before cancer diagnosis.

“These changes in specific medications could act as an alert for doctors to consider earlier cancer investigation or point to unrecognised symptom patterns.

“Diagnosing cancer as early as possible is key to ensuring treatment is as effective as possible and give patients the best chance of recovery.”

The study, which will receive £76,462 from Cancer Research UK, will focus on eight cancers: multiple myeloma, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian, lung, renal, colorectal and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – selected because these cancers are known to involve more GP consultations prior to diagnosis.

Currently, there are many symptoms and medical conditions known to be associated with cancer, but often symptoms can indicate a variety of conditions, not just cancer, making diagnosis harder.

Professor Peter Murchie, of the University of Aberdeen, said: “This is an exciting study which we hope will show how our increasingly sophisticated health records can be used for the maximum patient benefit.

“We know symptoms of cancer can develop slowly so changes in our prescription data could become a very important early warning signal to prompt busy GPs.”

Prescription data from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank at Swansea University, which works with the NHS to provide crucial information for researchers while keeping data anonymous and protected, will be used.

This requires permission from the Databank’s Information Governance Review Panel which oversees the safe and responsible use of population health records.

Codes used in the NHS to indicate medication prescriptions are easier to analyse and track than symptoms, for example an increase in dose or stronger medication can be flagged more easily to medical colleagues than notes on a patient’s record saying a symptom is worsening.

Cancer Research UK Director of Research, Dr Catherine Elliott, said: “Innovative approaches to tackling cancer are crucial to improving outcomes for patients. We have already made great strides in turning many types of cancer into a treatable disease if diagnosed at an early stage, and studies like this aim to help doctors identify people at risk of cancer much earlier.

“Earlier diagnosis takes us further along the path towards a world where cancer diagnosis is the start of the road to recovery and a less fearful prospect for patients.”

Nearly one in two people born in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime.*

With around 10,300 people being diagnosed with cancer each year in Northern Ireland (385,000 across the UK) finding new ways to diagnose cancer earlier, is vital.**

Car Cloning Fraud on the Rise: Motorists at Risk of Fines for Crimes They Didn’t Commit

Motorists are being warned of the rise in car cloning crimes, amid a worrying increase in vehicle identity theft.

Car insurance comparison experts from Quotezone.co.uk have urged drivers to stay alert, avoid posting images of their car online and park in garages when possible to minimise the risk of car cloning.

This comes after an investigation revealed a 64% surge in car cloning in London alone.

The crime is a form of fraud and involves stealing or copying another person’s car registration plates, allowing criminals to run up fines for speeding, driving through low emission zones or to hide the identity of stolen or salvaged vehicles.

Number plates can be physically stolen or purchased through fraudulent suppliers.

Those who have fallen victim to car cloning will start to receive fines for crimes they have not committed, and proving innocence can be difficult, so it’s important to understand ways to prevent cloning.

The car insurance experts also say people can fall victim to car cloning through buying a used cloned vehicle, which can lead to significant legal and financial problems which could see motorists losing the car and the money they paid for it.

Motorists are not able to completely prevent car cloning, but there are some things which can help minimise the risk, including parking in a garage whenever possible, or using a car cover so your number plate is not easily visible.

The experts are advising motorists to be careful with what they post online, as images including number plates can make your vehicle more susceptible to criminals.

Those buying used cars must also be careful and make sure to check all car details beforehand. Make sure all VINs on the vehicle match each other and those in the logbook.

Anyone concerned they may be buying a cloned car should run the registration number, make and model of the car through the DVLAs vehicle enquiry service.

Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone said: “The sharp rise in car cloning across London is very worrying and highlights a need for more awareness around the crime, as all drivers are susceptible to this growing type of fraud.

“Car cloning is not just a minor inconvenience – it can have serious legal and financial consequences for victims, who often find themselves receiving fines or penalty points for offences they had no part in.

“In some cases, people have unknowingly bought cloned vehicles and lost both the car and the money they paid for it.  An increase in penalty points can also increase insurance premiums from 5-25%, depending on the number of points accrued. 

“Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent car cloning, but there are ways motorists can minimise the risk. It’s also not sensible to share pictures of your vehicle online where the number plate is clearly visible – social media can be a goldmine for those looking to illegally copy registration details.

“While insurance companies can’t prevent car cloning, some may offer advice and assistance with legal expenses – which may help if you’ve unknowingly purchased a cloned vehicle, just be sure to check the policy details to see what’s included.

“If you suspect your vehicle has been cloned it’s important to report it to the police, DVLA and your insurer immediately and consider getting a new registration number.”

Tickets on sale for exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Edinburgh – with fans in for an extra special treat to take home 

To mark the arrival of the highly anticipated relaunch of Superman, Vue is holding an extra special screening of the film – with those who book the slot taking home a very special piece of comic book history. 

Taking place during the film’s opening weekend, on Friday 11 July, there will be just one Superman Hero Screening at Vue venues in Edinburgh and every booking for the limited screening will come with a copy of All Star Superman No.1 – the comic that inspired James Gunn’s new take on the Man of Steel – to pick up on the day.  

Tickets for the screening are available to book now however the offer will only be available while stocks last. 

The film introduces David Corenswet as Clark Kent (Pearl and Hollywood) and Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) asLois Lane, alongside a whole new roster of DC characters.

The latest superhero outing has fans excited for what is expected bold new take on the franchise – with Superman as you’ve never seen him before. 

Robert Smith, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh Ocean, said: “We know how excited audiences are for James Gunn’s interpretation of Superman.

“This exclusive screening gives fans the rare opportunity to take home a special piece of cinematic history – the very comic issue that helped shape the film’s story.” 

The All Star Superman No.1 giveaway is one comic per booking – not per ticket – and only applies to tickets purchased for the Superman Hero Screening on 11 July.

For the avoidance of doubt this does not apply to Superman screenings without the ‘Hero Screening’ tag.

For full Ts&Cs, take a look here. 

Father’s Day on call: Four Sutherlands, one lifeboat crew at RNLI Fraserburgh

While most families plan breakfast in bed or head out for Sunday brunch, the Sutherlands head out on a rescue.

At RNLI Fraserburgh, lifesaving has been part of the Sutherland family since 1978. Coxswain of almost 20 years, Vic Sutherland volunteers alongside his 21-year-old daughter Eilidh, his brother David and his nephew Declan. Together, the four family members make up part of the crew that helps save lives at sea.

Vic says: ‘It’s probably overwhelming for the rest of the crew having four Sutherlands aboard the boat – they probably feel like they can’t move for us, but I’m very proud of the family connection.’

He adds: ‘The fact I’m going to sea with David, along with my nephew Declan and now my daughter Eilidh – I’m really proud they’re carrying on the family tradition, just as we followed in our dad’s footsteps.’

The two brothers have half a century in the life-saving organisation between them, and the family’s RNLI connection goes back decades.

Vic says: ‘My dad was a fisherman and crew member. I remember the phone ringing and him dropping everything to go – there were no pagers then, just the house phone.

“You would know within a matter of seconds when it was the lifeboat calling, because my dad would drop the phone and run straight out of the house.

“It certainly set myself and David up with an itch to join the crew, it was a natural progression. I think it gave us a really good grounding, it’s great for any youngster coming in.

“It gives you a sense of responsibility, because obviously the level of commitment that’s going to be given is second to none. It also gives you a sense of pride, the fact that you’re involved with the station.’

Eilidh, who recently joined as crew, says it felt inevitable she would follow the same path. Eilidh says: ‘I grew up with the RNLI. My dad always says I’ve been going about with fundraising buckets since I could walk, and I always remember thinking I would love to be part of the crew.’

Despite their close bond, Eilidh says professionalism comes first on the boat. Eilidh says: ‘It’s definitely brought us closer, but when I’m at the station, he’s not my dad – he’s the Coxswain and I’m the crew.’

Father’s Day itself will be a working one for Vic. He says: ‘I’ll open my cards and get my socks or a bottle of whisky, but I’m on duty this weekend so it’s just like any other day. If the pager goes off, you’re getting on with it and doing what needs to be done. That’s been the way for the whole of Eilidh’s life.’

“My girls have experienced the pager going off at every kind of time over the years, whether it’s a Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, anniversaries – if the pager goes, you just respond.

“It wouldn’t be the first time they had been left sitting in a restaurant or abandoned sitting in Tesco’s with their mum because they’ve went in for the shopping, I’ve been sitting in the car and the pager’s gone and they understand I’ve had to go.’

For families considering volunteering together, Eilidh says: ‘Just go for it. It’s brought us closer being there for that part of each other’s lives, because it’s the biggest part of our lives. Working on the boat with my dad and going out to help people together is just an amazing feeling.’

Holyrood Committee seeks views on proposals to simplify and strengthen crofting legislation in Scotland

Holyrood’s Rural Affairs & Islands Committee has launched a call for views to ask people with knowledge of the crofting sector what they think about proposals set out in the Crofting and Scotland Land Court Bill.

The Scottish Government has committed to simplifying crofting law. This first phase of legislation seeks to “correct known anomalies” in the current legislation. The Scottish Government also acknowledges that a future conversation to consider more fundamental changes may be needed.

This phase 1 Bill would aim to:

  • help more people become crofters and better support existing crofters and their activities and businesses;
  • enable more and different activity to be undertaken on common grazings, including peatland restoration and other environmental initiatives;
  • empower the Crofting Commission to tackle breaches of duty through streamlined processes, and;
  • resolve crofting regulatory issues more quickly through new and revised powers for Crofting Commission.

The Bill would also merge the Scottish Land Court and Lands Tribunal for Scotland.

Launching the call for views, Committee Convener, Finlay Carson MSP, said: “The Scottish Government is clear that, although more fundamental reform of crofting legislation may be required in the future, this more tightly focused Bill would “correct known anomalies” in crofting legislation.

“Our inquiry will look at these proposed corrections and we’re asking for your views on whether they will address some of the current difficulties in crofting law. Will the proposals solve the problems they seek to address? What other changes are needed that are not included? And will merging the Scottish Land Court and Lands Tribunal for Scotland effect positive and necessary change?”

The Committee intends to take formal evidence on the Bill at Holyrood from September to November with a report to Parliament expected by the end of the year.

Members also hope to visit a crofting community as part of their scrutiny, to speak with crofters about how the Bill’s proposals would impact crofting communities.

The call for views will be open until Friday 5 September 2025.

Access the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill call for views

Police Scotland personnel recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

A former Assistant Chief Constable and Chief Human Resources Officer have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2025 for their significant contribution to policing.

Recently retired Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie was awarded the King’s Police Medal (KPM). Chief Officer of Human Resources Nicky Page received an MBE.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “I want to warmly congratulate Gary and Nicky on this well deserved recognition of their outstanding careers in public service, leadership and collaboration across sectors.

“Police officers, staff and volunteers work hard to deliver for our communities and these awards are an opportunity to thank them and celebrate their huge contributions to society.”

Gary Ritchie joined Strathclyde Police in 1991 and retired in April 2025 after 33 years’ police service.

He was appointed as an Assistant Chief Constable in 2019. Gary was instrumental in the roll-out of naloxone to all frontline police officers in 2020, making Police Scotland the first force globally to implement a nationwide roll out of the medication used to reverse the effect of opioids.

He was the Gold commander for the COP26 climate summit held in Glasgow in 2021. Gary was also the Gold Commander during COVID-19, actively engaging with partners across health, social care and government. He played a key role in facilitating information sharing and supporting the Independent Advisory Group to ensure the police response remained aligned with human rights requirements.

Gary had the responsibility to develop innovative approaches, based around the principles of embedding a public health approach to policing and leading public sector wide collaboration, to improve safety and wellbeing and achieve better outcomes for communities. In 2021, he significantly contributed to the creation, development and delivery of Police Scotland’s International Academy.

Gary Ritchie said: “I am both delighted and humbled that I have been awarded the King’s Police Medal. 

“Any personal achievements which have led to me receiving this award have only been made possible by the many people inside and outside the service who have contributed to the successful initiatives, projects and operations that we have undertaken over the years. 

“The award is much more a recognition of their contributions and, at times, wise counsel and advice.  I will be forever grateful and proud of what we achieved together.”

Nicky Page joined Strathclyde Police in 2010 and has provided strategic human resources leadership for over 22,000 people in Police Scotland.

This included playing a key role during the transition period that brought together eight legacy forces to form Police Scotland. She delivered a single national HR function achieving public sector savings of around £200 million annually since 2013.

She led the Staff Pay, Reward and Modernisation Project, aligning pay and conditions across the organisation. This contributed to a reduction in the gender pay gap. Since 2017, Nicky has also volunteered as a Community First Responder with the Scottish Ambulance Service, contributing over 1000 hours of service while balancing the demands of her role and family life.

Nicky Page said: “I am both grateful and surprised to receive this honour. I’m deeply appreciative of the support I have received from my colleagues in policing, the Ambulance Service and fellow responders within the Bathgate Group.

“This honour reflects the shared commitment and teamwork that have made my contribution possible.”

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Westminster Committee to hear evidence from Laura Bates on misogyny, the manosphere and AI

WESTMINSTER’s Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) will hear from activist, writer and speaker Laura Bates in Parliament on Wednesday, 18 June during the third evidence session of its inquiry into Misogyny: the manosphere and online content.

MPs on the cross-party committee chaired by Labour MP Sarah Owen will examine the rise of the manosphere and its influence on misogynistic behaviour and attitudes online and offline.

The session will also look at the emerging use of artificial intelligence (AI) and how this is facilitating misogyny, and the links between the misuse of AI and the manosphere. 

Discussion is expected to focus on non-consensual intimate image abuse (NCII) through deepfakes, linked to the Committee’s current and prior work on NCII abuse, and other aspects of Bates’ research, including bias in artificial intelligence.

WEC’s inquiry explores the prevalence and impact of misogynistic views, attitudes and behaviour among men and boys, particularly in schools and educational settings, and the reasons for this.

It examines ways that boys and young men are also being harmed and if better support, activities and services need to be available to them. 

Witness       

Starting at 2.20pm

Laura Bates, activist, writer and speaker