20 Years of civic pride: nominations open for Edinburgh Award 2026  

The capital is once again searching for a worthy recipient of the coveted Edinburgh Award, with nominations for this year opening today (Monday 9 March).

Now in its 20th year, the Edinburgh Award continues to recognise exceptional individuals whose achievements have not only brought distinction to the city but have helped shape Edinburgh’s future as a global capital of ideas, culture, innovation and compassion.

Since its inception in 2007, the Award has honoured individuals whose work has left a lasting legacy. From acclaimed artists and pioneering scientists to sporting heroes and social changemakers, each recipient has helped put Edinburgh on the national and international map. Their handprints are permanently cast into the flagstones outside the City Chambers, a lasting tribute at the heart of the capital.

In 2025, the Edinburgh Award was presented to Ali Bowden, the first Director of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature who, whilst in her role, created a diverse and engaging range of projects and programmes to enhance our literary city and played a key role in connecting Edinburgh with other literary cities around the world.

Edinburgh has four weeks to nominate for the 2026 award, before a recipient is selected by the Civic Awards Committee.

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge has urged individuals and businesses to nominate: “The Edinburgh Award gives us a chance to honour the individuals whose work and achievements continue to make Edinburgh the extraordinary city we all know and love.

“I am continually inspired by the way Edinburgh’s people support one another, and this award reflects that community spirit.

“As we mark the 20th Edinburgh Award this is an opportunity to not only reflect on the outstanding individuals who have shaped our past but also to recognise those whose work is influencing our future.

“I encourage everyone to consider who inspires them, who goes above and beyond to make Edinburgh stronger, fairer, more innovative and has made a difference to our city and please submit a nomination.”

Nominations open today Monday 9 March and close at 12 noon on Friday 10 April 2026.

To find out more and submit nomination please visit our website.

Potterrow incident: Do you know these men?

Police Scotland has released images of two males who they believe may be able to assist with their ongoing inquiries into an incident that occurred between 9.40pm and 10.05pm on Friday, 16 January 2026, at a building in the Potterrow area.  

The first man is described as white, between 18-25-years-old and of slim build. He was wearing a white tracksuit with the hood over his head, dark sunglasses, a grey and blue striped scarf and black and red Nike basketball-style trainers.

The second man is described as white, between 18-25-years-old and of slim build. He had short dark-coloured hair and was wearing black framed glasses, a dark coloured baseball cap with a white motif on the front, a light-blue denim jacket with a grey t-shirt underneath, light coloured trousers and light brown ‘Ugg’-style boots.

Police Constable Neil Mackay said: “As part of our investigation we are eager to trace the two men pictured. They are believed to have left the Potterrow area in the direction of West Nicholson Street. I’d ask anyone who can help to come forward as soon as possible.”

Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference 1217 of Saturday, 17 January 2026. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Bank of Scotland announces £2.5 billion new finance commitment for businesses in Scotland

Over £2.5 billion of new finance can be available to businesses across Scotland in 2026, helping them grow, invest and create new jobs.

This forms part of Lloyds Banking Group’s plan to make over £35 billion of new finance available to companies operating and investing across the UK in 2026.

Businesses look to invest and grow in 2026

New research from Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer reveals Scottish businesses identified their top target areas for growth as introducing new technology such as AI, automation or digitalisation (51%), investing in their team such as training (35%) and entering new markets (32%) in the next six months.

Martyn Kendrick, Scotland Director at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “Bank of Scotland is proud to make £2.5 billion of new finance available to local firms in Scotland, helping them grow their businesses, invest in innovation and create new jobs.

“Whether it’s supporting a small company taking its first step into exporting, or a larger firm scaling up to meet growing demand, we’re committed to helping businesses turn their potential into growth.”

This comes as Lloyds and CBI convene business leaders, policymakers and experts from across the financial services sector in Scotland to explore how to drive sustainable growth under the UK’s Industrial Strategy.

Backing ambitious businesses across Scotland

Organisations across Scotland are already benefiting from Bank of Scotland’s support. Albyn Housing Society, one of the largest housing associations in the Highlands, has received a £10 million funding package.

The business has begun work on the first 125 homes as part of its mission to build 600 affordable homes over the next five years.

The development responds directly to Highland Council’s 2024 Housing Challenge, which calls for 24,000 new homes to be built across the region by the end of the decade.

Andrew Martin, Executive Director at Albyn Housing Society, said: “Albyn was established over 50 years ago to provide housing for workers at the Invergordon smelter.

“While the challenges have changed, our purpose hasn’t. We’re here to make sure people across the Highlands have access to good, affordable homes in the communities they live in.

“Our five-year plan is ambitious, and it reflects what local people have told us they need. Support from Bank of Scotland means we can start right away – putting plans into action and delivering the kinds of places people want to live.”

Committees say Parliament should continue close scrutiny of approach to tackling drug deaths and drug harm following election

Members of three Scottish Parliament committees have urged that a joint approach to the scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s work to reduce drug deaths and tackle drug harm must continue following May’s election.

A legacy report from MSPs on the Criminal Justice, Health, Social Care and Sport and Social Justice and Social Security Committees outlines that meeting together allowed the Members to consider the impact of policy changes more broadly and more effectively.

In the report, one MSP explains that the approach emphasised the importance of the shift from seeing drug problems in Scotland as a crime and justice issue to seeing them as a health and social issue.

The committees worked together during this parliamentary session to look at the impact of the measures recommended by the Scottish Drugs Deaths Taskforce.

As part of their work, the committees commissioned, and worked with, a people’s panel, which called for “brave and bold action” to reduce the harms created by drug use in Scotland.

The Members’ report praises the benefits that this approach had on communication between committees, collaboration on tackling this important issue, and the breadth of scrutiny.

Audrey Nicoll MSP, Convener of the Criminal Justice Committee said: “Taking a cross-committee approach to the issue of how to tackle drug deaths and drug related harms has brought everyone’s expertise to the table.

“It has been encouraging to see so many members working together to tackle this issue of urgent national importance.

“However, this issue is not resolved. As our legacy report makes clear, our committees’ work must continue next session.”

Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Sport and Social Care Committee, said: “Thank you to everyone who helped inform our scrutiny of these vital issues, including the members of the people’s panel, who collaborated so well to help recommend what further steps can be taken to prevent drug deaths and harms.

“Cross-party and cross-remit working in the next session will be essential if we are to effectively tackle these issues, and ultimately end the pain caused by drug harms and drug deaths in Scotland.

Collette Stevenson MSP, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “I am pleased with the impact that our committees’ work has had this session, and it was good to see the recommendations of the people’s panel that we commissioned be agreed to and acted upon by the Scottish Government.

“Drug deaths are not abstract statistics. My heart goes out to every single family that is affected. MSPs must continue to work together next session and do everything possible to tackle this issue.”

Read the Committees’ report

Spring sees welcome return of St Columba’s Compassionate Gardeners

The gardening season has officially begun at St Columba’s. After a winter pause, our Compassionate Gardeners gathered for the first time this year — and they’re ready to get going.

These generous volunteers offer time, care, and plenty of TLC to the gardens of our community patients who need a little extra help. It’s practical support, yes — but it’s also about kindness, dignity, and helping outdoor spaces feel cared for again.

Gloves are on, tools are out, spirits are high… and the weeds have been warned.

Thank you to our Compassionate Gardeners for all you do — quietly making a difference, one garden at a time.

Welcome to Your Vote Week

YouthLink Scotland

@YouthLinkSco It’s Welcome to Your Vote Week! Use the @ElectoralCommUK‘s impartial resources to explore why voting is important to your young people and to discuss the impact their vote can have on their everyday life.

More info https://bit.ly/4rUcmdX

This year’s theme is ‘why voting matters’ – supporting young people to discover the difference voting makes and how they can have their voices heard.

Use the Electoral Commission’s impartial resources to explore why voting is important to your young people and to discuss the impact their vote can have on their everyday life.

Every year The Electoral Commission invite schools, youth groups, and local elections teams to join them in celebrating democracy by running activities that help young people understand how it works and how to get involved.

The Electoral Commission aim to support young people to develop the knowledge and confidence they need to cast their vote and discover other ways to get involved in democracy.

With thanks to the brilliant ideas of their youth voice network, the theme for Welcome to Your Vote Week 2026 will be ‘Why Voting Matters’.

Discover the difference voting makes and how young people can have their voices heard. With your young people, use the impartial resources to explore why voting is important to them and discuss the impact their vote can have on their everyday life.

Welcome to Your Vote Week is an opportunity to discuss the importance of voting and democracy in your area. Explore questions like ‘What issues are important to you?’, ‘What are different levels of government responsible for?’ and ‘How could your vote make a change?’.

How to get involved

More than half a million young people took part in Welcome to Your Vote Week 2025. We want even more young people to learn about democracy and voting this Welcome to Your Vote Week.

Everyone is welcome to get involved. Feel free to be creative, ask your students and young people for their ideas, and deliver activities which best suit you and your group.

You could:

  • Hold a vote in your school or youth group on an issue young people can have a say in.
  • Run a voter registration drive for young people.
  • Deliver lesson plans or short activities about voting and democracy.
  • Support young people to engage with their local representatives.

Welcome to Your Vote Week is an opportunity for those who work with young people to start a conversation about democracy and voting.

Edinburgh based Lyceum Theatre Company to perform at Theatre festival celebrating youth theatre in the UK

Young people aged 13-19 from around Scotland are set to take to Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s stage as part of this year’s National Theatre Connections programme, the National Theatre’s landmark annual nationwide youth theatre festival.

From 10-11 April, Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Studio will host Lyceum Youth Theatre from Edinburgh, Aberdeen based Shazam Theatre Company, East Lothian based The Mill Youth Theatre and Pitlochry Festival Theatre Young Company as they perform the Scottish premières of the plays, Alexandra Wood’s Britney’s Lock by Alexander Wood; Cloud Busting by Helen Blakeman (based on the novel by Malorie Blackman); Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth by Kirsty Housley and Wildfire Road by Eve Leigh.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre is one of 33 theatres across the UK championing the voices and talent of local young people with over 5,000 participants from 270 companies and schools having the chance to perform on professional stages.

Regional festivals will take place at partner theatres nationwide from 4 March to 4 May, with the groups performing at a local venue first.

To celebrate the vast range of talent on display nationwide this spring, eight youth theatre groups will be invited to perform their version of one of this year’s plays at the Connections Festival held at the Lowry, Salford from 25-28 June.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Associate Director Sam Hardie said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming four youth theatre companies to perform at the NT Connections Festival in April this year.

“At Pitlochry Festival Theatre we are delighted to be hosting this amazing nationwide festival, and we look forward to a weekend of performances, workshops and importantly connecting young people with like-minded peers from across the country.

“Our festival champions young people and celebrates their brilliant work which will be showcased in our Studio theatre across two nights of double-bill performances.” 

Kirsten Adam, Head of Participation at the National Theatre, said, “We are so excited to have Pitlochry Festival Theatre taking part in this year’s National Theatre Connections, providing the opportunity for hundreds of young people from across the area to showcase their talents on their stage.

“Youth theatre is a foundation stone in young people’s development, allowing them to build their understanding of the world and develop key skills such as confidence and self-expression. We cannot wait to see this year’s participants’ imagination and creativity flourish during this year’s Connections festivals.”

Pitlochry Festival Theatre Young Company is supported by The Basil Death Trust.

TheNational Theatre Connections programme takes place at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 10-11 April. Tickets are available from the Pitlochry Festival Theatre box office on 01796 484626 or online at pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com  

For more information about Connections 2026, visit the National Theatre Website.

Institute of Physics launches The Eurekas 2026 for 11–16-year-olds

This year’s competition asks, “How can physics make your home ready for the future?” 

The Institute of Physics (IOP) has today opened entries for The Eurekas 2026, its national physics competition for young people aged 11–16 across the UK and Ireland. 

Now in its fifth year, the competition challenges students to explore this year’s theme: “How can physics make your home ready for the future?”

From cleaner energy and smarter technology to sustainable materials and healthier living spaces, The Eurekas invites 11–16-year-olds to apply physics to the place they know best — home — and imagine how science can shape tomorrow. 

Open to individuals and small groups, the competition encourages creativity and scientific thinking. So, entries can be of any kind of format, including: short videos (up to 90 seconds), written pieces (up to 600 words), artwork, models or design concepts.

All entries must clearly connect to physics and be submitted online by a parent, carer or teacher via the competition website. 

Prizes include a top award of £1,000/€1,200, two runners-up prizes of £500/€600, and additional awards across age categories. Every participant will receive a digital certificate celebrating their achievement. 

Previous years have seen imaginative and inspiring entries exploring physics, including how physics shapes the way different animals perceive the world, how aerodynamics helps bowlers control the movement of a cricket ball, and how physics, music, and ballet show how science and art can work together. 

Sarah Bakewell, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Institute of Physics, said: “Today, young people are already thinking about the future — from how climate change matters to them, to how technology plays a role in their lives. 

“The Institute of Physics’ Eureka competition gives young people the chance to turn those ideas into actual solutions; creative, physics-powered and usually quite brilliant!

“Physics is for everyone – and young people from every background can use science to shape their future. Whether it’s designing smarter homes, improving energy efficiency or reimagining everyday objects that make a difference to how we live, we cannot wait to see how young people can use physics to have their very own Eureka moment!”

The competition is free to enter.

Full details, inspiration from previous submissions and entry guidance can be found at theeurekas.co.uk, with entries submitted via theeurekas.co.uk/submit. 

Entries are now open and the closing date for submissions is Monday, 8 June 2026. 

New report shows disabled people and carers being failed by asylum system

Disabled people and carers in the asylum system are being denied safety, dignity and compassion because they can’t get the health care they need.

The Poverty Alliance have published new #RightsInAction research, uncovering examples of people being placed in unsafe housing, facing delays and confusion in getting health and social care, and getting little or no formal support – despite many having serious health and care needs.

One woman was sent to Scotland after being forced to leave her family and seek protection alone in the UK. In her home country she had been treated for ovarian cancer, but when she arrived in Scotland, she faced real difficulties getting in touch with her GP.

After being recognised as a refugee by the Home Office many years later, she had to move to different accommodation and to a different GP. It was only then that she was referred to hospital for investigation of pain she was feeling. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour and Multiple Sclerosis.

Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Everyone in Scotland deserves dignity, safety and compassion. People on low incomes often feel cut off from the health and social care support they need – and this research shows the problem can be even greater for people in the asylum system.

“It is wrong that disabled people and carers can be left without the most basic support they need to live their lives.”

https://www.povertyalliance.org/news-new-report-shows…

TPA_From_Rights_to_Realisation_report-24.2.26Download

House of Lords Conduct Committee publishes report on the conduct of Lord Chadlington

ANOTHER DODGY ‘HONOURABLE MEMBER’ SHAMES WESTMINSTER

The House of Lords Conduct Committee has published a report on the conduct of Lord Chadlington (John Selwyn Gummer), recommending he be suspended from the House for 12 months.

The recommendation is the result of an investigation by the independent House of Lords Commissioner for Standards, which followed a complaint made on behalf of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice.

The Commissioner, Martin Jelley QPM DL, investigated Lord Chadlington’s role in the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic and, specifically, his role in assisting a subsidiary of a company he chaired to secure PPE contracts.

The Commissioner found that Lord Chadlington, a former Chairman of the Conservative Party during the Thatcher era, breached the House’s prohibition on members providing “parliamentary services” in return for payment or reward.

He also found that Lord Chadlington had failed to cooperate with two previous investigations into his conduct and had failed to act on his personal honour.

Chadlington appealed against the Commissioner for Standards’ findings and his recommended sanction that he be suspended from the House for 12 months. The Conduct Committee rejected that appeal and upheld the Commissioner’s findings and recommended sanction.  
 
The Conduct Committee’s report will now need to be agreed by the House before the sanction takes effect. The House is expected to consider the report in the week of 16th March.

Chadlington, who is 84, has said he will ‘retire’ from the House of Lords and quit the Tory Party. That’s likely to be of little consolation to Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice:

Grief: A Poem

by Susie Crozier-Flintham

Grief fills the room
Which room or space
Is not a matter
Of speculation
Or some theory
Now debunked
By its own author,
I might add,
But one of
Who
We
Are
As
People
My grief fills my life
Not room or space
But every quarter
Of my being, not
Some speculation
Or some theory,
Conspiracy theory
That serves to
Diminish
Deceive or
Decry
My Dad died.
A declarative
Not speculation
He was among
over 252, 032 others
To pretend

Those things
Untrue
Is to pretend
Some lives
Are worth
Losing
Moreover,
Do we dismiss
Collective grief
As something
Uncomfortable
Because, we don’t decide
We can’t pick and choose
Those dead
Are commemorated
These dead are not
Weren’t they all human?
People with lives?
Weren’t they all children
Once?
Grief fills this room
Because it’s not just
About remembrance
It’s about
Potential lost
Opportunities missed
Connections denied
Grief fills this room
Because it has to
Without it
We are nothing
Mere chattels

On this Earth
Which birthed us
Which birthed us
But masters,
And indeed mistresses
Of our own destiny
Are we
So hear me
You are my family
I lost mine
Not through carelessness
But through design
And in my Dad’s name
You are
Therefore
Mine.