Congratulations to puppy raiser Julia Yarker, who was recently presented with a Community Hero Award by Ian Murray MP.
Julia was chosen for this award for her outstanding contribution to Guide Dogs, helping to change the lives of people with a vision impairment over the last 23 years.
Guide Dogs’ Puppy Development Advisor, Lynsey Anderson Fell, said: “Julia has been an integral part of our Edinburgh puppy raising scheme for more than two decades and is now on her 22nd puppy, Kristal.
“She has lots of experience but is always willing to try new methods, as training has changed over that time. Julia also supports other puppy raisers to learn and develop, alongside the voluntary work she does in the local community.”
Speaking after receiving the award, Julia added: “I started puppy raising for Guide Dogs in 2003. Life then was quite different with no online training, but monthly classes and meetings with a supervisor.
“Through volunteering with Guide Dogs, I found a group of great people all puppy raising and I’ve made many friends over the years. I have had lots of wonderful pups and lots of great memories of some great characters!”
Thank you to Ian Murray MP for recognising this life-changing contribution, and of course, to Julia herself for 23 fantastic years of giving people with sight loss freedom and independence.
Become a puppy raiser with Guide Dogs Scotland here:
22nd March run hopes to raise £10k for FetLor, Scotland’s oldest youth club
An annual charity fun run organised by Fettes College will this year raise money for Scotland’s oldest youth club, enabling local school children to embark on the invaluable experience of a Duke of Edinburgh award.
FetLor Youth Club regularly welcome over 350 young people throughout the week to engage in entirely free sport and creative activity in a safe and warm environment.
The club was established in 1924 by former pupils from Fettes College and Loretto School and continues to maintain strong relationships with both schools.
One of its primary aims is to provide opportunities that would ordinarily be out of reach for its members and this year Fettes has chosen to dedicate all the money raised from its fun run to FetLor.
The event, taking place on Sunday 22 March, will see hundreds of people running a 5K, 10K or half marathon distance both within Fettes’ grounds, around the city and further afield with Fettes alumni also undertaking their own runs from wherever they are in the world.
An inclusive event, participants are able to join in by cycling, rowing, walking or running on treadmills too.
FetLor will use any moneys raised to fund their Duke of Edinburgh award which currently has 18 participants enrolled on it – a life changing experience for many that develops new skills and helps participants achieve their potential.
Dr Richie Adams, Chief Executive, FetLor Youth Club said: “We’ve had the privilege of offering many young people the chance to take part in Duke of Edinburgh and have seen first-hand just how transformational it has been.
“With expanded horizons comes new aspirations and participating in the award helps our members see new opportunities and discover a higher potential.”
Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes College, said: “The annual charity run at Fettes College is always a joyous spectacle and provides a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and Give Back.
“I am continually inspired by the team at FetLor Youth Club and their support of young people across Edinburgh. We are very proud to fundraise for them and their young members.”
In addition to a warm and welcoming space at its youth club, FetLor also provide volunteering opportunities with SQA awarded points as well as wide-ranging educational assistance.
The youth club is open to young people of all ages and all activities are free. For more information, visit: https://www.fetlor.org.uk/
The Scottish Government has announced £245,000 of funding to support the King’s Baton Relay (KBR) in Scotland ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The funding, awarded to Commonwealth Games Scotland, will support at least 22 community events during the host nation leg from 1 to 23 July 2026, with the relay travelling to cities, rural areas and island communities. It will culminate in the Opening Ceremony of the Games.
Communities and sports clubs are encouraged to express their interest in hosting a visit, with the call for expressions of interest open until the end of March 2026.
Sport Minister Maree Todd visited GalGael, a social enterprise based in Govan, Glasgow, whose craftspeople hand-made the batons for the relay using ash from Pollok Park.
She said: “Visiting GalGael and seeing the craftsmanship that has gone into creating the batons is a wonderful reminder of what makes this relay so special. I’m pleased that Scottish Government funding will help bring the King’s Baton Relay to communities right across Scotland this summer.
“Whether a sports club, a community group, or you simply want to be part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026, I’d encourage everyone to get involved. These free community events are a real opportunity to get active, connect with others, and improve wellbeing right across Scotland.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate what makes Scotland unique on a truly global stage, and I want as many people as possible to be part of it.”
Gayle McPherson, Director of Legacy and Community Engagement at Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “The King’s Baton Relay is a special part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026 and will connect communities across Scotland with the excitement of a home Games.
“The baton itself carries the message of a sustainable Games, made from reclaimed ash from a Glasgow park by the traditional craftspeople at GalGael in Govan.
“The Scottish Government’s support will help bring the relay to towns, cities and island communities right across the country to ensure everyone is part of the celebrations and provide fans with the opportunity to show their support for Team Scotland as our athletes make their final preparations for Glasgow 2026.”
Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026, said: ‘The King’s Baton Relay heralds the arrival of the Games into Scotland, with every Commonwealth nation and territory receiving their own baton to celebrate Glasgow 2026 in their own unique way.
‘This investment from Scottish Government to our partners at Team Scotland builds on our collective commitment to a spectacular summer of sport. We are excited to play our part in the journey from 1 July as Commonwealth Games Scotland take the Baton to all four corners of the country, showcasing Scotland to the world and gathering communities together to celebrate and share in the spirit of Glasgow 2026.’
Katie Sadleir, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Sport said: “The King’s Baton Relay is such a special tradition of the Commonwealth Games, bringing people together through sport, shared values and a sense of connection across the Commonwealth.
“With the support of the Scottish Government, Scotland’s leg will inspire communities across the country and help shine a light on our shared ambition to remove one million pieces of plastic from Commonwealth waters.”
The KBR activation in Scotland will deliver free public events, creating opportunities for communities and sports clubs the length and breadth of the country to be part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026.
The Scottish Government is also providing £15 million of funding for sporting organisations to offer free, accessible and inclusive physical activity opportunities to capitalise on a “spectacular summer of sport”.
Glasgow 2026 is projected to deliver a £150 million economic benefit to Scotland, with no public funding required from the Scottish Government for the core delivery of the event.
STRACHAN HOUSE RESIDENTS VISIT WEE MUSEUM OF MEMORY
Residents from Strachan House care home have recently enjoyed a trip to the wee museum of memory in Leith to take a trip down memory lane. The museum which brings to life objects from the not so distant past is a perfect way for the Strachan House residents to reconnect and be nostalgic about days gone by.
Following a recent meeting whereby residents and their loved ones expressed a wish to have more dementia outings added to our programme we were blessed to find this museum.
General Manager Fran Fisher was blown away with the amount of things that the residents were able to view and engage with, stating: “It’s amazing that our residents are able to see things that they used and enjoyed when they were young, the wedding dress was a particular favourite of both myself and the two ladies lucky enough to go on the trip”.
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan house provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
The repairs service is now being trialed across three Primark stores , including Edinburgh Princes Street
Primark is offering local shoppers simple same-day repairs and alterations alongside more complex repairs’ services for the first time.
Primark has announced it is expanding the trial of its clothing repairs service with The Seam to more of its stores across the UK high street. The move will give Primark shoppers the chance to try a simple, same-day repair and alterations service in store, as well as providing access to more complex services for the first time.
The service will continue to run in Primark’s Manchester Market Street store after its first successful trial last year, and now its Bromley store in South London and Edinburgh Princes Street flagship store will also offer the service – expanding access for the first time to local shoppers in the South of England and Scotland.
The Seam’s services will be available in all three Primark stores every Friday from now until 5 June 2026, with bookable appointments available during each store’s regular opening hours. Local shoppers can already start to pre-book their local store appointments via Eventbrite, with walk-ins also welcome subject to availability.
The expansion of the service follows strong demand from customers in Manchester during its initial 12-week trial period in 2025, where nearly 90% of all appointments available were pre-booked in advance. For Mancunians, their most repaired items were trousers, jeans, and dresses while the most popular repairs included length adjustments and seam repairs.
Based on feedback from customers in Manchester, The Seam will continue to offer simple same-day repairs, such as seam mending and length adjustments, as well as adding more complex services for the first time including knit repairs, zip replacements and dress reshaping, which will require a one-week turnaround.
Primark will continue to subsidise the cost of its simple same-day repairs service to offer a more affordable option to high street shoppers.
Commenting on the service’s expansion, Vicki Swain, Product Longevity Lead at Primark, said: “Last year’s trial in Manchester shows there is demand from high street shoppers for a more simple and accessible solution to fixing their favourite pieces pieces.
“We’re genuinely excited to see how more customers embrace this next step as we expand The Seam to three UK stores and introduce more complex repairs for the first time.”
Layla Sargent, CEO of The Seam, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Primark to make clothing repair more accessible for customers.
“By bringing these services directly into store, we’re helping extend the life of garments while celebrating the skill of local Makers. It’s an exciting step towards making care and repair a natural part of the retail experience.”
How to access The Seam services at Primark – Book your local appointment today:
At their appointment, the customer will meet The Seam Maker, discuss their garment requirements.
For simple services, customers can return later in the day.
For more complex services, customers can return after 1-week when the service is available the following Friday (Please note the last available appointments will be on Friday 29th of May).
The item will then be ready to collect, freshly repaired and ready to wear.
Primark is committed to moving towards a more circular approach to fashion that extends the life of products and materials while reducing waste over time.
To support this, the retailer offers customers nationwide access to free repair workshops and online tutorials so they can learn how to repair their clothes at home.
Since 2021, Primark has delivered more than 730 free repair workshops across nine markets. The expansion of The Seam into three UK stores marks the retailer’s next step towards helping more shoppers love their clothes for longer.
#SpringCleanScotland 2026 will be held between 13 March and 24 April
Spring Clean Scotlandis our annual campaign which brings together people from across Scotland to tackle litter. During this month-long campaign, thousands of volunteers spend time outdoors cleaning up the environment through sociable, fun, litter picking sessions.
We are looking for funding and support. Please get in touch if you can support our charity and help us deliver one of the biggest mass litter picking activities in Scotland.
Each year we release bespoke posters and social cards with dates of our #SpringCleanScotland campaign to promote local activities, check out our Handy Resources page for these.
We have also included an editable poster for you to share all the details of events with your community.
Keep Scotland Beautiful has now passed 9,000 registrations. Can we make it to 10,000 before Friday? Remember every registration before then is a chance to win a £100 One4All gift card!
From sci-fi and romance to classic releases and early previews, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Vue Edinburgh this Mother’s Day weekend – whether you’re planning a family outing, a cinema trip with mum, or simply in search of a great film.
For fans of romance, an adaptation of the best-selling book Reminders of Him will be playing over the weekend. The story follows Kenna, who after a perfect outing with her boyfriend, makes an unbearable mistake that sends her to prison. Seven years later, Kenna returns to her hometown, hoping to rebuild her life.
Sci-fi lovers can enjoy a special early preview of Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling as a science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship light-years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there.
As his memory returns, he realises he must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction.
Audiences can also enjoy a very modern take on the first true sci-fi novel, with The Bride! It follows a lonely Frankenstein who travels to 1930s Chicago to ask groundbreaking scientist Dr Euphronious to create a companion for him. The two revive a murdered young woman and The Bride is born.
For music fans, Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley blends restored concert footage from the King of Rock’s legendary 1970s Las Vegas residency with rare, never-before-seen clips and rediscovered audio of Presley recounting his own story. Also screening from Lurhmann is a re-release of The Great Gatsby led by Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio in this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless tragedy.
For younger audiences and family trips, Hoppers follows an animal lover who uses technology to place her consciousness into a robotic beaver, uncovering mysteries within the animal world that are beyond anything they could have imagined. Also perfect for families is Angelica Huston’s unforgettable performance in the 1990 version of The Witches.
Set across dual timelines, psychological thriller Ina Pale View of Hills explores a Japanese widow’s memories spanning post-war Nagasaki in the 1950s and England during 1980s Cold War era, unravelling secrets that intertwine her past and present experiences across borders.
Bringing some levity to the weekend, How to Make a Killing follows blue-collar Becket Redfellow – disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family – who will stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way.
Finally, for scream queens, the latest instalment in the long-running franchise Scream sees a new Ghostface arrive on the scene.
General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh, said: “We have a fantastic selection of films for audiences to enjoy this weekend, with something to suit every taste. Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to spend quality time together, and a trip to the cinema is the perfect way to relax, share a story and make the day feel a little more special.”
For those looking for a last-minute Mother’s Day gift, Vue gift cards are available to purchase online or in cinema, with prices starting from £10 – perfect for treating mum to a future trip to the big screen. To find out more, visit www.myvue.com.
Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans welcome the Scottish Government announcement today that free rail travel for companions of visually impaired people has been made a permanent policy across all ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services.
Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans have been campaigning for this ‘life-changing’ decision for over three years through its Fair Rail campaign. The call for a new national policy arose when veterans at Sight Scotland Veterans raised an equality issue: visually impaired people had to pay for a companion on every rail journey, making travel unaffordable, while travelling without support was unsafe. They also highlighted the confusing range of concession and companion schemes across Scotland.
This news means, that from 1 April 2026, anyone with an Eye Plus One National Entitlement Card (NEC) can now travel with a companion throughout Scotland at no extra cost.
The announcement follows a year-long pilot, during which feedback from over 1,500 visually impaired NEC holders was overwhelmingly positive. Among those who knew about the scheme and had travelled by rail:
84 percent used it, showing how popular it became once people were aware of it.
Over 95 percent of users reported benefits across every area measured, including independence, mobility, confidence when travelling, travel costs, and feeling safer and more supported.
Nearly nine in ten said the scheme had changed how they use rail, with 84 percent taking more trips and 69 percent visiting new places they had not travelled to before.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m pleased to confirm that from 1 April 2026, free companion rail travel for visually impaired people will become a permanent offering. This change will support around 8,000 visually impaired National Entitlement Cardholders who rely on ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services.
“Over the past year, the pilot has clearly shown the profound impact that affordable, accessible rail travel can have for blind and partially sighted people. We’ve seen people travelling more often, gaining confidence, and needing less staff assistance. Feedback from Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans, and – most importantly – passengers themselves has been overwhelmingly positive.
“By making this scheme permanent, we’re opening up greater access to work, education, communities, and everyday life in ways many of us take for granted. This decision strengthens independence, reduces isolation, and improves quality of life, and it reflects our wider commitment to ensuring Scotland’s railway is accessible, affordable, and welcoming for everyone who depends on it.”
Anne Dignan, from Edinburgh, who is deafblind and has macular degeneration, comments: “This news is genuinely life changing. Knowing that free companion rail travel is here to stay gives me confidence and freedom I didn’t have before.
“I can plan trips without worrying about the cost of a companion ticket, travel more often, and explore new places that I couldn’t before without the extra financial burden.
“Thanks to Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans and the tireless work of campaigners, free companion travel means independence, inclusion and the opportunity for people like me with sight loss to access rail travel right across Scotland.”
Agnes Houston, 76, a former army nurse from Coatbridge, who lives with both dementia and visual impairment, says: “I am overwhelmed by this news. It means so much to me.
“Over the past year it has genuinely changed my life, and I was becoming quite worried about the pilot ending. Because of my visual impairment and dementia, I can no longer travel alone, especially over long distances, and I simply could not afford to pay for a companion. The difference the free companion rail travel has made to my mental health is extraordinary.”
Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, comments: “We are delighted the Scottish Government has made free companion rail travel a permanent policy – a major step towards making train travel truly affordable and accessible for everyone.
“After more than three years of campaigning, this is a huge victory for our campaigners, service users, and our External Affairs and Campaigns team, whose hard work has made this possible.”
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: “We’re delighted the Scottish Government’s free companion rail travel scheme for visually impaired people is being made permanent and proud to be able to play our part in improving the customer experience for people who are blind or have a visual impairment.
“This is a major step towards empowering people to be able to travel with confidence and independence, making train journeys safer and more welcoming for everyone. ScotRail is committed to ensuring the railway works for all of our customers, and the scheme is part of our wider efforts to improve accessibility across our network.”
Samaritans Scotland’s Small Talk Saves Lives trailer will be pitching up at Bristo Square TOMORROW 13th March from 10am – 3pm
New data has revealed that over half of adults in Scotland (59%) would appreciate kind words from a stranger if they were visibly upset. However, nearly half of the respondents in Scotland (49%) felt that small talk is a thing of the past.
Responses from Scotland were spread across Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
People in Edinburgh were most likely to appreciate a kind word from a stranger if they were visibly upset (68%), followed by Inverness (67%), Dundee (64%), Aberdeen (50%) and Glasgow (49%).
Overall, the weather was the go-to small talk topic of choice for those across all five Scottish cities, with sport, family, and TV following closely behind.
The data is released as part of the ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ campaign – a campaign by Samaritans, Network Rail, and British Transport Police to remind people to practice their small talk skills, as it could be a life-saving tool.
Small talk has a big impact. As part of the campaign, Samaritans volunteers will be visible in locations across Scotland, with pop-up events taking place in Wishaw, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, Eyemouth, and Edinburgh during the week beginning 9th March, encouraging people to use small talk and check in on others.
A survey commissioned by Samaritans found that over three quarters (78%) of people in the UK admitted to having avoided small talk in the past, despite 59% of respondents stated they would appreciate kind words from a stranger if they were visibly upset, and two thirds (68%) of them said they would be more inclined to make small talk with a stranger if they knew it made a positive impact.
The Small Talk Saves Lives campaign, which Samaritans has run in partnership with Network Rail and British Transport Police since 2017, encourages the public to make some small talk with someone they think could be in distress, as your words could be a life-saving kit.
Dave Brown, Head of Rail at Samaritans, said: “We know that people are often worried about saying the wrong thing to someone who is visibly upset, but it’s always better to say something than nothing at all.
“A brief chat, about the weather, or asking someone where they can grab a coffee, can be all it takes to interrupt those negative thoughts. Your words are a life-saving kit.”
Matt Hosgood, Regional Rail Lead at Samaritans Scotland, said:“Samaritans ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ campaign returns for its ninth year. This campaign is delivered by the Samaritans rail team, in partnership with Network Rail and the British Transport Police.
“The campaign comes at a time where over half of UK adults say they would appreciate some kind words if they were visibly upset. With this in mind, we are encouraging members of the public to feel empowered to check in on each other, reinforcing how asking something as simple as “Do you know where I can get a coffee?” can be enough to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts, open up a conversation, and potentially save a life.
“Suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and we all have a role to play to actively listen, show that we care and know where to signpost people for appropriate, timely support. Trust your instincts – if you see someone who might need help, stop and ask if they are okay, where it is safe to do so.
“Samaritans volunteers across Scotland will be visible in locations all over the country with a cup of tea or coffee, a biscuit and other goodies, as well as providing vital emotional support to anyone who might need it.
“Our trailer will be in Wishaw, Glasgow Forge, Kirkcaldy Galleries, Eyemouth Harbour and Edinburgh’s Bristo Square during the week beginning 9th March, so do pop by for a cuppa and a blether, as we work together to see that fewer people die by suicide.”
Louise McNally, principal suicide & trespass prevention specialist, said: “Millions of people pass through the rail network each day, and everyone single one of them could ask a simple question or say a friendly comment that could make all the difference.
“By encouraging colleagues and passengers to pause and start a conversation with someone that looks like they might need help, we’re encouraging people to make looking out for one another second nature and reminding them that small talk really can save lives.”
Superintendent Sam Painter, British Transport Police lead for Protecting Vulnerable People, said:“The Small Talk Saves Lives campaign reinforces the message that anyone can play a role in supporting vulnerable people, even through something as simple as a little small talk.
“We continue to work closely with Samaritans and Network Rail to ensure that those experiencing a mental health crisis receive timely and appropriate help.
“While a moment of small talk could help someone feel less alone, we also encourage anyone who sees a person they believe is in distress on the railway network to report it to us by texting 61016 or calling 999 in an emergency.”
For more information and tips, visit Samaritans.org/smalltalksaveslives or join the conversation on social media using #SmallTalkSavesLives
Former Deputy Chief Constable of Police Scotland Fiona Taylor has been appointed to lead an independent Commission which will consider how to safely and effectively criminalise the purchase of sex in Scotland.
The Commission, whose work will be informed by the views and experiences of those who have been involved in prostitution, will provide recommendations to Ministers including on:
the framing of a new criminal offence for purchasing sex that can be effectively enforced and prosecuted
how to manage any risk to the safety of those involved in prostitution after any new offence is introduced
how to best provide practical, sustainable support for those who wish to exit prostitution
further work to challenge and deter men’s demand for prostitution.
Ministers committed to establishing a Commission following a recommendation by the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee in their Stage 1 Report on the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill.
Ministers will work with Ms Taylor to finalise the Commission’s terms of reference and a panel of experts will be appointed to support her in due course. The Commission will report to Ministers within a year of its first meeting.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “I am clear that prostitution is violence against women and girls and the purchase of sex should be criminalised.
“That is why we are following the Criminal Justice Committee’s recommendation to establish a Commission to consider how this can be done in an effective, enforceable way while addressing concerns raised that criminalisation could place women at higher risk of violence.
“Women also need to be able to access practical, sustainable support to help them exit prostitution and this will be another strand of the Commission’s work, along with what more can be done to challenge and deter men’s demand for buying sex.
“I am very pleased that Fiona Taylor has been appointed as Chair. Fiona brings significant experience to the issues and challenges involved in this important area of work, having had a distinguished career including serving as Deputy Chief Constable and Interim Chief Constable of Police Scotland. Fiona, like the Scottish Government, also recognises the value and importance of lived experience, which will be at the heart of this work.”
Fiona Taylor said: “I am grateful to have been offered the opportunity to chair the independent Commission tasked with progressing this important matter.
“I look forward to working with other members of the Commission, once appointed, and reporting back to Ministers in due course.’
Responding to the announcement, Ash Regan MSP said: “If the government wanted to criminalise the purchase of sex they should’ve voted FOR my #Unbuyable bill last month.
“A commission isn’t action – it’s inaction. Yet again survivors are being let down.”
