Last week, cardiac arrest survivor John McCann, 62, whose life was saved by a first aid trained First Bus driver, shared his experiences with party leaders, ministers and MSPs at a parliamentary reception on behalf of St Andrew’s First Aid, Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity.
John, who lives in the West End of Glasgow, spoke of the great importance of first aid and emphasised the vital need to ensure more people are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to intervene in any emergency. He underlined how his life – and ability to tell his story at the event – was entirely down to the actions of one man.
The reception was attended by Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar, Minister for Public Health, Woman’s Health and Sport, Maree Todd and Collette Stevenson as sponsoring MSP, amongst others.
The event was held to mark the 140th anniversary of the charity and provided an opportunity for political and wider stakeholders to find out more about St Andrew’s First Aid’s mission to transform Scotland into a nation of live savers by providing vital first aid training to everyone.
The reception also included a speech from Molly Jansen, 17, a St Andrew’s First Aid volunteer. Molly spoke about the valuable experiences of being a volunteer and the importance of St. Andrew’s First Aid’s school projects such as the Ready for Life programme which teaches a certificated emergency and mental health first aid course to secondary school pupils.
Stuart Callison, Chief executive at St Andrew’s First Aid said: “We’re delighted that the vital work being completed at St. Andrew’s First Aid is being recognised and celebrated.
“We are very grateful to everyone who attended our event and helped us to celebrate these 140 years of providing essential first aid training and support to Scotland.
“As Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity, we have a responsibility to train as many people in lifesaving skills and raise awareness of the important campaigns and initiatives we have in place to achieve this.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about the campaign, or first aid training should get in touch by emailing community@standrewsfirstaid.org.uk
UK government launches COP26 Presidency outcomes document, celebrating the successes of the Glasgow summit and the UK’s COP Presidency year
The report details the progress made to tackle emissions, mobilise finance and help those impacted by climate change and calls for further action ahead of COP27 in Egypt next week
The launch took place at Lancaster House with COP26 President Alok Sharma and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
COP26 President Alok Sharma has launched the UK’s COP26 Presidency Outcomes Document. He joined the Prime Minister to host around 80 global business CEOs at an event at Lancaster House on Friday.
The new report, which comes as the UK prepares to hand over to Egypt next week, highlights progress made over the three years since the UK took on the Presidency of the COP. It also acknowledges that more needs to be done at COP27 and beyond to implement the commitments made at COP26.
Under the UK’s stewardship and during a global pandemic, COP26 brought together nearly 200 countries to forge the historic Glasgow Climate Pact. The Glasgow Climate Pact remains the blueprint for accelerating climate action this critical decade to keep 1.5°C in reach.
The report details key achievements across the UK Presidency’s four overarching goals of mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, and finance and collaboration.
Highlights include:
Keeping 1.5 degrees alive: Over 90% of the world’s GDP, up from 30% when the UK took on the COP Presidency, is now covered by net zero commitments. More than 153 countries have now put forward new 2030 climate plans, known as nationally determined contributions.
Increasing funding and launching UN work for dealing with climate impacts: record levels of finance to help countries adapt to the effects of climate change have been pledged to the Adaptation Fund and the Least Developed Country Fund under the UK Presidency. In addition at COP26, countries agreed to double 2019 levels of adaptation finance by 2025, the first quantified adaptation finance target.
Accelerating unprecedented low-carbon transitions of industries such as transport and energy, with commitments covering power, coal, methane, fossil fuel financing, forests and land, transport and sectors, including the first ever agreement to coal phase down in a UN climate decision.
Finalising the Paris Rulebook after 6 years of negotiations, which sets out the instructions and products needed to fully implement the Paris Agreement on climate change. These guidelines build confidence and transparency as countries deliver on their commitments to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
This progress has been achieved against the backdrop of an incredibly challenging geopolitical context, driven by Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine which has demonstrated the integral link between climate change, energy security and the vulnerability caused by our dependence on fossil fuels.
The UK’s Presidency has continued to drive action throughout this, working with countries, civil society organisations, and local communities to ensure that the commitments made in Glasgow are delivered to keep 1.5 alive.
Alok Sharma, COP26 President, said: “The last three years have been a unique privilege and I have been inspired by the urgency and the ambition I have heard around the world.
“The decade ahead can be one where we pull back from the precipice of climate catastrophe and unlock a just and sustainable path to prosperity for billions of people around the world.
“To do this we must fully deliver on the promises made at COP26 and in the Glasgow Climate Pact.”
Mr Sharma hosted members of the UN-backed international campaign Race to Zero at Lancaster House to consider how global business take forward the legacy of the COP26 UK Presidency and deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact, in his final engagement as COP President before COP27.
Before the reception at Lancaster House, the COP President joined His Majesty The King and the Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace to mark the end of the UK’s COP26 Presidency and the beginning of Egypt’s Presidency of COP27.
There’s been another busy week of economic and fiscal news to cover. The main headline is of course that the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to raise interest rates for the eighth successive time, to 3%.
Also grabbing the headlines was the forecast that, if interest rates follow market expectations and go up to 5.25% by Q3 2023, the economy is likely to contract for 2 years, only returning to growth in Q3 2024.
The Governor of the Bank, Andrew Bailey, made clear that it was possible that the markets has over done the likely pathway for rates, implying that they may not end up getting above 5%.
But, as the chart below shows, their view is that the economy is in for a rough time over the next 2-3 years, whatever the specific pathway for rates. Whatever happens, their expectation is that we will not be above pre-pandemic levels of output by the end of 2025.
Chart: Outlook for UK GDP Growth, 2019 Q4=100
Source: BoE
On Wednesday, we published our latest Scottish Business Monitor, covering Q3 2022, which showed that business sentiment is now in negative territory for the first since the end of 2020.
Chart: Net balance (%) of firms expecting an increase in their volume of business over the next six months, Q1 1998 – Q3 2022
*Net balance of firms is defined as the share of firms reporting higher minus the share of firms reporting lower
With the price of goods, energy, and borrowing on the rise, the majority of Scottish firms that we surveyed are expecting to wind down their operations or pass on costs to their consumers over the next year.
However, there is some good news from our latest survey. Supply chain issues continue to ease, which may dampen inflationary pressures, and the ongoing energy crisis has motivated Scottish businesses to consider making energy-efficient improvements to their processes.
Additionally, In the most recent quarter, half of responding businesses reported that they had vacancies to hire new members of staff, down from 56% reported in the previous quarter.
Of those firms with vacancies, 90% were finding them difficult to fill – up 3 percentage points since the last survey. A lack of skills and applications continue to be the main barriers to filling job posts, and, increasingly, wage expectations are making it difficult for Scottish firms to hire the staff that they need.
Unsurprisingly, Scottish firms expect energy bills and wages to be their main cost pressures in the coming 6 months.
Scottish Economy contracts in August
Somewhat lost in the other news on Wednesday (see below) was new GDP data from the Scottish Government for August.
This showed that GDP fell by 0.3% in August, taking the Scottish economy below pre-pandemic levels of output – very consistent with the messages we saw from the Bank about a likely contraction overall in Q3.
The contraction was driven mainly by a fall in services output. In a sign of things to come, consumer facing services fell by 2.4%, chiming with what we are hearing from businesses.
Scottish Government cuts health funding to fund pay deals
On Wednesday, we had the Scottish Government’s Emergency Budget Review. We gave our initial reactions here, and the coverage since the publication on Wednesday has focussed very much on the cuts made to health spending to fund pay deals for health workers.
What is clear is that this may not be the end of the story for the 2022-23 budget. John Swinney in the Chamber made it clear that there could be further implications for the Scottish Budget from the UKG’s Autumn Budget on 17th November, perhaps even for 2022-23. And it is also clear that many pay deals are far from settled.
The City of Edinburgh Council is encouraging its housing tenants to take part in a housing rent consultation. This annual consultation helps influence how the Council spends the money it raises from rental income.
The cost-of-living crisis is also impacting on our costs to run housing services. It is now more expensive to ensure our Council homes meet statutory energy efficiency standards and to build new affordable homes.
Over the next eight weeks we’re seeking tenants’ views on their priorities on how we spend the rent money we collect, what their views are on rent increases, and the financial challenges they face.
We recognise that this year will be particularly challenging for all residents with rising inflation, spiralling prices, and the wider cost-of-living crisis.
However, costs of providing landlord and housing services are increasing, and tenants previously told us they want us to invest in homes to make them more energy efficient and that they need more affordable homes. We have frozen rents for two years, now we need to know what tenants think about what we do next year.
The Scottish Government has recently announced that council rents will remain frozen across Scotland until at least March 2023. At this stage it is unclear whether this will be extended beyond the spring.
Depending on the outcome of this we will consider options for a rent increase in 2023-24. However, any change in rents must take into consideration tenant’s views and input.
We would use any increase in rent to invest in homes to make them more energy efficient and help tenants save money, as well as improving the landlord service that we provide.
We are looking forward to hearing from our tenants on housing and how the Council can further support them through the cost-of-living crisis.
Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Tenants and their views are at the heart of our housing priorities and goals. With the current cost-of living-crisis and rising economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever that our tenants have a say in how the Council goes forward with housing.
“I hope that this year’s consultation will allow the Council an informative and insightful view into how tenants would like rental income spent.
“We want to make sure rents are affordable for tenants whilst also being able to sustainably invest in the standard and quality of council homes for the future.
“I would urge all council tenants to participate in the consultation and make their voices heard.”
The Prime Minister has decided to proclaim an additional bank holiday to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III next year. The bank holiday will fall on Monday 8 May, following the Coronation on Saturday 6 May.
In line with the bank holiday to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, this will be an opportunity for families and communities across the country to come together to celebrate.
The bank holiday will take place across the United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The Coronation of a new monarch is a unique moment for our country. In recognition of this historic occasion, I am pleased to announce an additional bank holiday for the whole United Kingdom next year.
“I look forward to seeing people come together to celebrate and pay tribute to King Charles III by taking part in local and national events across the country in his honour.”
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden said: “The Coronation combines the sacred and the solemn but it is also celebratory.”
“This bank holiday will once again give people across the United Kingdom the opportunity to come together as families and communities to welcome His Majesty to the throne as we mark this important day in our nation’s long history.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Coronation will be an historic moment for Scotland, and the Scottish Government wants to give as many people as possible the opportunity to join the celebrations.
“Scotland will want to send its best wishes to His Majesty, King Charles III, and The Queen Consort.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received 1,025 calls during an eight-hour period this Bonfire Night with Operations Control staff mobilising crews to 356 bonfires.
The 5 November is typically one of the busiest nights of the year for firefighters.
Five attacks on crews have been recorded, however no injuries have been reported at this time.
Assistant Chief Officer David Farries is director of service delivery for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He said: “It’s been another busy and challenging evening for our crews and Operations Control staff around Scotland and I thank them for their dedication.
“We are disappointed to report five attacks on our firefighters. In the run up to Bonfire Night, we had spoken out about this kind of unacceptable behaviour by a small minority which sadly happens year after year.
“Our staff should be able to carry out their role without being attacked and it is disappointing that people have tried to hurt firefighters and have damaged our appliances and equipment.
“Crews only attend bonfire related incidents when people contact us about concerns over public safety and we extinguish fires that are unsafe.
“We put a huge amount of planning and preparation into this evening with local partners and other emergency services as we work together to protect communities, which is always our top priority.”
Police Scotland’s Public Order trained officers supported local policing colleagues in what proved to be a challenging Bonfire Night for emergency services.
In total, 483 calls were received relating to fireworks offences night. This is a reduction on the 581 incidents recorded the previous year and reflects the positive downward trend in crimes that have occurred over the past five years. Nevertheless, there were still a number of significant crimes arising over the course of the evening.
Twelve people were arrested, and a further 15 were dispersed from Dispersal Zones. Further inquiry to identify more suspects will be taking place over the coming days and weeks.
The majority of serious incidents took place in Edinburgh, where members of the public, firefighters and police officers were all targeted by youths in possession of fireworks.
During a call-out to an illegal bonfire at Langside Street, Clydebank, however, members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were attacked by twenty youths using fireworks. Police Public Order Officers attended and the group dispersed. One police vehicle sustained very minor damage and one male was arrested for assault and culpable and reckless conduct.
Just before 7pm, approximately 100 youths threw fireworks at members of the public and vehicles at Marischal Road in Niddrie. Public Order Officers attended to support local policing teams and were also targeted. A fire engine that was in attendance sustained a smashed window as a result of the disorder, though, thankfully, no one was injured.
While on patrol at around 7.35pm on Ferry Road Drive, Edinburgh, officers were attacked by a number of individuals throwing bricks at their vehicle. Public Order Officers were called to the scene to support and a Public Order vehicle was subsequently damaged when a brick was thrown at the windscreen.
Further incidents in the Drylaw area were reported between 9 and 10pm when the fire service were initially attacked with fireworks while attempting to extinguish a wheelie bin fire on Ferry Road Drive, and had to withdraw.
Once again, Public Order resources were deployed to support but were subjected to threats and fireworks being thrown by a number of youths, who were also armed with scaffolding poles and a baseball bat.
Further incidents were then reported in the area, after youths began throwing fireworks at members of the public and at Drylaw Police Station. No injuries were reported and no damage was sustained to the building.
Around 8.40pm, a police vehicle was attacked with bricks in the Niddrie area resulting in a window being smashed and an officer sustaining a minor cut to their lip.
Around the same time within Sighthill, Edinburgh, local officers were within their vehicle when it was targeted by youths with bricks who smashed the vehicle’s windows. This resulted in both officers being injured. They were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. One sustained a head injury that required stitches, while the other needed treatment for glass in their eye.
An hour later, within the Duddingston area, a number of police vehicles had petrol bombs thrown at them by a number of youths. There were also incidents of roads being barricaded by the suspects, which required police to attend and deal with. There were no injuries reported during these incidents.
Around the same time in Glasgow, a male was outside the OVO Hydro, and threw a flare into a crowd of people. He was detained by security staff at the scene. Following police enquiries, two people were arrested in connection with this matter.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “Our initial analysis of the incidents arising on Bonfire Night show that, for the overwhelming majority of the country, people enjoyed the occasion safely and responsibly.
“However, in some areas, particularly Edinburgh, various individuals have shown blatant disregard for the safety of the public and the emergency services and have actively targeted police officers and firefighters during the course of their duties.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I want to make it abundantly clear that considerable follow-up inquiry will be conducted in relation to all of these incidents, utilising all resources at our disposal to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Do not think that just because you evaded police on the night, that we won’t be knocking on your door in the near future.
“I would ask anyone who has information relating to the offences observed last night to contact police via 101 so we can investigate appropriately.
“What the events of last night demonstrate to me is the importance of having a robust frontline policing service that can be readily supported by national and specialist colleagues when required. Similarly, working in partnership with other emergency colleagues and local authorities is equally important to ensuring we are deploying the correct level of resource to the right areas at the right time.
“All of those who were on duty during Bonfire Night showed exceptional professionalism and dedication to protecting communities from harm during extremely difficult and challenging circumstances. I am grateful for all of their efforts.”
Environmental campaigners have been highlighting companies and groups connected to Norwegian oil giant Equinor by delivering roses in order to expose their toxic relationships with the proposed Rosebank oil field.
Campaigners yesterday delivered bunches of ‘oil’ covered roses to locations in Glasgow and Edinburgh representing some form of financial or political influence over whether the Rosebank oil field goes ahead.
These included the Norwegian consulates in both cities; the UK Government building, Barclays bank and the First Minister’s residence Bute House in Edinburgh; and Glasgow City Chambers.
+ Equinor holds a 40% stake in the Rosebank field and is majority owned by the Norwegian state. + Barclays is one of Equinor’s corporate financiers providing them with $2.46 billion of backing since 2015. + The Strathclyde Pension Fund, which runs Glasgow City Council pensions investments, holds £9million in shares in Equinor. + Nicola Sturgeon has failed so far to explicitly oppose the Rosebank field, despite objecting to the smaller Cambo development in late 2021.
Rosebank contains over 500 million barrels of oil, which if burned would produce the equivalent CO2 emissions of the 28 lowest-income countries combined. Ahead of the COP27 climate talks, the UN has warned that the world was on course for a catastrophic 2.8C of climate warming by the end of this century.
The UN report ‘The Closing Window’ demanded that emissions should fall 45% by 2030 if we are to stay within agreed climate limits.
Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Oil and Gas campaigner Freya Aitchison said: “Equinor is propped up by governments, investors and pension funds, but by drawing attention to these toxic relationships we can undermine their reputation and highlight the dangers posed by the vast Rosebank project.
“Today’s deliveries show that support for Equinor and Rosebank is all around us, and these links must be broken if this climate-wrecking development is to be stopped.
“Climate science is clear that the development of new oil and gas fields will take us even further past safe climate limits. Lending financial or political support for new fossil fuels is climate denial.
“Governments, banks and investors urgently need to redirect support away from the fossil fuel industry that is driving the death and destruction across the world and instead invest in ramping up affordable, reliable renewable energy.”
Separate analysis has shown that developing the Rosebank field will cost UK taxpayers over £100 million, due to a deliberate loophole in the UK Government’s windfall tax.
Equinor recently declared profits of £21 billion for the third quarter of 2022.
This week, Thursday 3rd November, at the Scottish Parliament Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, sponsored a Members Debate to highlight the work of Cancer Card, a charity set up to give a single source of information to people who have been diagnosed with Cancer.
Cancer Card was founded by Jen Hardy, an Edinburgh resident who has stage 4 incurable breast cancer.
Jen was diagnosed on 18th October 2017 after having a CT scan to find out the cause of her paralysed vocal cord.
Whilst searching for more cancer support, Jen noticed there was no single place to go that listed the hundreds of different services, support providers, information channels and free gifts.
The aim of cancer card is to assist the NHS by supporting everyone affected by cancer, enabling them to directly access relevant information, services, support and products.
Cancer Card founder Jen Hardy and CEO Ian Pirrie were in the Scottish Parliament to watch the members debate on Cancer Card, describing the debate as a “proud moment” for Cancer Card.
Following the debate, Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“The significance of a cancer diagnosis on an individual’s life is immense, with the potential to render them feeling lost, frustrated, fatigued, isolated or financially disadvantaged when trying to obtain information of a non-medical, but nonetheless essential, nature.
“At a time when cancer patients and their families need the most support, it can often be difficult to find the right information at the right time, for the right person.
“That is where Cancer Card is so wonderful – it recognises the questions and support needs to reach more than just the person living with cancer – but indeed their partners, families, friends, employers and professionals.”
Cancer Card founder Jen Hardy said:“I can’t thank Miles Briggs MSP enough for securing this debate and bringing Cancer Card to the attention of the Parliament.
“It was wonderful to hear such positive support from Miles, the Cabinet Secretary Humza Yousaf, Kenneth Gibson MSP, Jackie Baillie MSP and Graham Simpson MSP, each recognising the impact of Cancer Card.”
Cancer Card Chief Executive Ian Pirrie said:“Our online support hub gives easy access to reliable, relevant information, all in one place.
“With access to local and national cancer support charities and services, our advanced search and filtering options allow users to create a bespoke search based on their individual needs.
“Cancer Card helps you find the support you need when cancer affects your life.”
Full copy of Miles Briggs’ speech :
Presiding Officer.
Can I start by thanking Members for supporting my Motion for debate today.
I’d also like to invite and highlight to Members the photocall at the bottom of the garden lobby steps at 1:35 following the debate. I hope Members will be able to join us.
Presiding Officer, One of the greatest honours of being an MSP is the opportunity it presents you to meet remarkable people.
One such person is Jen Hardy. And I’m delighted Jen has joined us today in the Public Gallery alongside Ian Pirrie the new CEO of Cancer Card.
I first met Jen back in March 2018 when she successfully campaigned alongside women with incurable breast cancer and the charity Breast Cancer Now to help deliver access to the secondary breast cancer drug – Perjeta.
Jen was diagnosed with stage 4 incurable breast cancer on the 18th October 2017 after having a CT scan to find out the cause of her paralysed vocal cord.
Whilst searching for cancer support, Jen noticed there was no single place or online resource that listed the hundreds of different services, support providers, information channels and free experiences available to people and their families living with cancer.
It was this realisation that prompted Jen (who has an IT background) to work to establish Cancer Card, to help create that single place, single online point of access for anyone affected by cancer to find the help and support they need.
Cancer Card launched in May of this year and provides a detailed index of support services available, helping individuals navigate what can often be a complicated and complex world of cancer.
It’s actually hard to believe that Cancer Card hasn’t existed until now…
I know that it is incredibly hard to have the difficult conversations with someone living with cancer about their treatment journey – and indeed the many and often personal questions a wife, husband, mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son or friend wants to ask.
That is where Cancer Card is so wonderful – it recognises the questions and support needs to reach more than just the person living with cancer – but indeed their partners, families, friends, employers and professionals.
And is available any time of day or night when questions will be asked or answers and support sought.
It also acts as a directory with key contacts for all UK cancer charities and support services.
Presiding Officer.One in two of us will develop cancer in our lifetimes – that’s of us sitting in this Chamber right now.
In my time over the last 6 years as Co-Chair of the Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Cancer alongside Anas Sarwar and Jackie Bailie it has been a regular ask of many charities and groups to improve access to help make support services more readily available.
The significance of a cancer diagnosis on an individual’s life is immense, with the potential to render them feeling lost, frustrated, fatigued, isolated or financially disadvantaged when trying to obtain information of a non-medical, but nonetheless essential, nature.
At a time when cancer patients and their families need the most support, it can often be difficult to find the right information at the right time, for the right person.
Cancer Card seeks to address this through an online support hub where those affected by cancer can find valuable insights from the Cancer Card community and access to local and national cancer support charities and services (including access to financial help, exercise classes, counselling, and local support networks).
The advanced search and filtering options allow users to create a bespoke search based on their individual needs.
For those who have not yet had an opportunity to see for yourself or find out more then please visit: cancercard.org.uk
Presiding Officer, I want to take this opportunity to also pay tribute and thanks to all those charities and organisations which provide information, help, and advice to people and families living with cancer. We owe these organisations a huge debt and they are making such a vital difference to people living with cancer and their families right now.
I believe Cancer Card can and will indeed elevate cancer support charities and services and help promote their invaluable offering.
There is no cost to users or charities for the services listed and indeed for local groups this presents a great opportunity to highlight what is available locally in difference parts of the country.
Presiding Officer.To close.
The Scottish Government is currently undertaking work on the new Scottish Cancer Strategy – I believe this presents an opportunity to reset and reconsider how support and advice is provided and how especially during and following the pandemic – how access has shifted online – and I hope the new strategy will embrace Cancer Card and this fresh and new approach to providing information and advice services.
Looking for something fun to do this autumn? Then make sure you head to the stylish Native Edinburgh where the inimitable Stew Bryden is set to host his debut solo showcase in the cool coffee and speakeasy Counter.
Launched on Thursday (3rd Nov) until the end of the year, this new creative collaboration will see ten striking pieces shot by Bryden – famed for fashion and celebrity portraits, and displayed in Counter by Native Edinburgh for all to enjoy.
Free to attend, the stunning exhibition launches the boutique hotel’s Artist in Residence series that seeks out programming to ignite creative imagination, with an ethos to create great places, with great people, in great areas.
At the Edge of Things is in homage to Virginia Woolf’s most experimental work, The Waves: an exploration of the trinity shared between individuality, the self and community.
An iridescent display of eclectic suits, sequin-adorned cocktail dresses and layered outerwear, the visual captures each look within its own habitat — far removed from each other and yet merged into one singular narrative.
As spoken word plucked straight from Woolf’s novel plays over a psychedelic harmony, the images and film flawlessly exudes the themes of its muse: portraying multiple stories merged into one, a unity between the self and other.
Much like fashion itself, the work(s) bear a compelling power that celebrates our limited time on earth.
Stewart Bryden gained his Hons Degree in Glasgow, Scotland before moving to New York City, working within the Chinatown based studio of world-renowned American photographer and artist Ryan Mcginley.
Now based between London, Berlin and Scotland, Stewart has gained commissions and continues to work with some of the world’s most up and coming and leading brands, publications and agencies. He’s shot for the likes of Fendi, Gucci, Max Mara, LV, and editorial clients include Wonderland, Man about town and Clash Magazine.
Olivia Immesi, Managing Director of Native Places , said:“Stewart is a true visual tastemaker and it’s such a pleasure to have him as our first Artist in Residence at Native Edinburgh.
“We’re excited to champion his work and host an exclusive celebration of creative photography here in Edinburgh.”
Stew Bryden, owner of Stewart Bryden said: “As a visual artist it’s always exciting to see your work exhibited, more so with this being my debut solo residency.
“These images and accompanying film were a true passion project and collaboration with some incredibly talented individuals, I’m very proud of the work and for Native places to approach me as their debut artist in residence is very exciting.”
Stewart Bryden’s At The Edge of Thingswill be on display in Counter at Native Edinburgh from Thursday, November 3rd until the end of the year. It’s free to attend and Counter is open seven days a week from 8am – 1am.
To enjoy a stay, book directly with Native aparthotels, by heading to:
This year ELREC are celebrating Book Week Scotland by organising an event, reading and sharing short stories, including some around moving and migration.
Come and join us on Saturday, 19 November and read the story of your own, or listen to the others. Maybe you get into the spirit of reading and you want to buy some books So, a gift card to help you buying them is on us thank to a grant from #ScottishBookTrust
Places are limited and early booking is encouraged to avoid disappointment. Please reserve your free ticket via this link:
So, a gift card to help you buying them is on us thank to a grant from