Eve, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s all day dining venue, is excited to announce the grand launch of its Courtyard in partnership with Patrón Tequila – one of the world’s leading tequila brands.
The launch will coincide with the beloved Cinco de Mayo celebration, taking place tomorrow (Friday, 5th May) between 5pm-10pm followed by an entire weekend of thrilling festivities on the Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May between 3pm – 10pm.
The Eve Courtyard is set to be a haven of blissful entertainment and delight, offering guests the opportunity to relax in the warm glow of the sun while sipping on tantalizing tequila creations and indulging in traditional Mexican small plates, known as ‘Botanas’, curated exclusively for the Courtyard launch.
Patrón Tequila has transformed the Courtyard into a homage to its Mexican roots and tequila-making tradition, providing an exclusive food menu that includes Lamb Shoulder Barbacoa Taco and Smoked Mushroom Taco. We will also provide a selection of Margarita and Paloma cocktails crafted with Patrón Silver, offering guests the perfect way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style.
As the sun sets and the stars come out, the Courtyard will come alive with the sounds of live music from Los Chichanos and Pilgrims Society, two vibrant and energetic bands that bring the party to Edinburgh’s late-night fiestas. With performances all weekend long, they will elevate guests’ experience with an unforgettable soundtrack to their weekend.
There will also be pinatas bursting with prizes and Mexican bingo for some friendly competition, to name but a few. Plus, Patrón popcorn and frozen cocktails will be on offer to keep guests cool and refreshed.
David Moth, Virgin Hotels Vice President of Operations and Interim General Manager of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh said: “We are thrilled to bring the vibrant spirit of Mexico to life at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh with our Eve Courtyard launch event in partnership with Patrón for Cinco de Mayo.
“It’s an exciting celebration with delicious cocktails and food that will transport guests to the flavours of Mexico. But that’s not all – we have surprises and delights planned all weekend, including the chance to win an overnight luxury stay in Sir Richard Branson’s flat. It’s going to be a weekend filled with fun, festivities, and unforgettable experiences.”
Cinco de Mayo is just one of many events hosted Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is hosting. Eve will be host of many seasonal activations and brand takeovers throughout the year with Patron taking over the Eve Courtyard for the next 3 months of summer. To stay up to date with the latest news and events, follow Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s Eve channels on social media here:
CHARITY CASH BOOST FOR DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
Three good causes across Edinburgh have been awarded a share of a £75,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme. The awards were decided by a vote of Scotmid Members.
The recipients secured the funding after being shortlisted by the community retailer to receive the lifeline financial support, helping them to continue delivering their vital work.
Upward Mobility (Upmo) received a £15,000 award, with Drylaw Telford Community Association and Beacon Club – Space & Broomhouse Hub each receiving £5,000.
Drylaw Telford Community Association, based in Northwest Edinburgh, Children, young people, adults, older people, and families are offered a varied programme of activities and The Centre is an integral asset to the local community.
One of their key projects is to provide safe and suitable activities for adults and older people suffering from loneliness and social isolation with over 150 members meeting weekly to enjoy a chat, warm refreshments, and activities.
They are supported by a dedicated worker and funding from Scotmid would be used to for activities, transport to the Centre and help with support worker costs.
Beacon Club – Space & Broomhouse Hub is based in Southwest of Edinburgh run The Beacon Club, which provide support for people suffering from Dementia. Due to an increase in demand for their services and despite opening a second facility they still have a waiting list for people to join.
Open 7 days a week, members take part in activities, enjoy a nutritious homecooked lunch and have a safe place to socialise whilst giving their carers some vital respite. Funding from Scotmid would be used for outings, events, reminiscence activities and cover volunteer costs allowing members to live life to the full.
Upward Mobility (Upmo) strive to create a more inclusive society across Edinburgh & The Lothians by supporting adults & young people who live with physical or learning disabilities, Autism or have complex healthcare needs.
They offer the students tailored support services and learning opportunities and their Outdoor Learning Project is based within Jock Tamson’s Gairden in Duddingston, where students learn to grow veg, fruit and flowers.
Funding from Scotmid will be used to build raised beds, wider accessible pathways, purchase suitable tools & equipment and help with the cost of staffing the outdoor project.
Each year, Scotmid Members vote to award a share of £150,000 Community Connect funding to six shortlisted Scottish good causes.
Left to right: Martin Hinds (Drylaw Telford Community Association), Faith Nicholson and Claire Farquhar (Upmo), Nancy Bryson and Lyn Glen (Space & Broomhouse Hub)]
Tax, targeted support and tough budget choices will all need to be considered as part of bold measures to tackle poverty, First Minister Humza Yousaf said yesterday after meeting poverty campaigners.
The anti-poverty summit, convened by the First Minister, saw political leaders from across the Scottish Parliament meet with people who have direct experience of poverty, campaigners, and third sector organisations.
Speaking after the event, which was attended by around 90 delegates, the First Minister said: “I called the summit to listen to the views of a wide range of partners, particularly those at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis and with direct experience of poverty, about what they believe needs to be done.
“Everything I heard confirmed that poverty and the cost of living crisis is the biggest challenge facing this country – one that has been exacerbated by some of the UK Government’s actions and inactions.
“We have already acted to tackle the pressure on those most in need – for example, our game-changing £25 per week per child Scottish Child Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement, and Winter Heating Payment.
“But we must do more. We must be bold in considering future tax decisions. Tough choices will need to be made about existing budgets, and we need to consider whether targeting help is the way forward when money is so tight.
“It’s not enough to wish poverty away. We have to be hard-headed and realistic about what can be done – and then we have to focus on making it happen. That means the debate must now be about tax, targeting and tough choices. We are listening and will not shy away from the decisions needed to reduce poverty.”
COSLA President Councillor Shona Morrison said: “The initiative from the Scottish Government is a good one and one which Local Government can get fully behind. Tackling poverty is a core objective for Local Government working in partnership with the Scottish Government, the third sector and public and private sector partners.
“The cost- of-living crisis we are living through at present is being tackled head-on by Councils the length and breadth of Scotland and partnership working is vital to achieving positive outcomes for individuals, families and our communities across Scotland.”
Commenting on reports around the expansion of universal free school meals in Scotland, Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly said: “The First Minister has to recognise the injustice that leaves so many children in Scotland hungry and without food they need.
“With figures from the Trussell Trust showing record numbers of families accessing food banks, this is not the time to roll back on commitments relating to free school meals.
“We know that many low-income families just miss out on qualifying for means-tested free school meals, and many others don’t claim because of shame or stigma.
“The best way to tackle this problem is through universal free school meals that benefit all of our children and young people.”
Peter Kelly was speaking just after attending yesterday’s anti-poverty summit, chaired by the First Minister.
He said: “The First Minister’s poverty summit was a timely opportunity to refocus on tackling the injustice of poverty in Scotland. Across all those who took part, there was a clear sense of urgency on the need to deliver real change.
“There was no shortage of ideas for action. We can expand funded childcare, use public contracts as a lever to improve pay and conditions in key sectors, and remove barriers to work for those people most affected by poverty – women, disabled people, people from Black and ethnic minority communities.
“Now is the time for the Scottish Government to turn those ideas into concrete action. We look forward to a follow up summit in the coming year to check where progress has been made.”
Positive anti-poverty summit soured by possible roll-back on Free School Meals
THE sCOTTISH Trades Union Congress (STUC) and the STUC Women’s Committee have warned of massive resistance to any reversal on the SNP free school meals pledge and called for an acceleration, not a roll-back of the programme.
STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “We were enthusiastic participants in the summit today. Our key message is that better and fairer wages tied to redistributive taxation must lie at the heart of strategies to tackling poverty and inequality. Current levels of in-work poverty are totally unacceptable and place further pressure on our under-funded benefits system. We need to see real action coming out of this summit.
“Suggestions this morning that the Scottish Government might consider breaking pledges to extend free school meals is not what we are looking to hear. Investing in the health of all of our young people and removing stigma is a key priority and any roll-back will be fiercely resisted.”
Andrea Bradley, Chair of the STUC Women’s Committee and General Secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland said: “The STUC Women’s Committee would be deeply concerned if the First Minster’s comments around a potential reversal of the Scottish Government’s progressive policy on universal free school meals expansion as reported today, were to be put into action.
“1 in 4 children in Scotland were living in poverty before the onset of the cost-of-living crisis, which the previous First Minister declared a humanitarian emergency. Now, food inflation of 20%, together with exorbitant energy costs, and stagnant wages is making life even harder and more miserable for hundreds of thousands of parents in Scotland and their children – many already missing out on a decent meal at school because of the stigma or the bureaucracy of means-testing.
“Now is the time to accelerate the roll-out of universal free school meals – not to roll back on what were essential promises.”
Most drivers admit driving too close is a risk to life
Give Cycle Space
97% of drivers agree that people who drive too closely to people cycling are putting lives at risk – however over a third admit that they don’t think of someone cycling as a person, being more focused on getting past and getting on with their journey.
These are the findings from a new study of over 500 drivers commissioned by Scotland’s national cycling charity – Cycling Scotland – to mark the launch of its annual nationwide campaign (Thursday 4 May).
On average, four people cycling per week in Scotland suffer serious, potentially life-changing, injuries from a vehicle collision – and close passes can be a daily experience for people cycling.
The research also found that:
8/10 drivers worry they could seriously injure someone cycling if they don’t give them enough space.
96% of drivers acknowledged that a vehicle getting too close would be frightening for someone cycling.
83% confessed to feeling frustration when trying to pass people on bikes.
30% of drivers didn’t agree that people cycling have equal rights on the roads as drivers.
Supported by Police Scotland, Cycling Scotland’s annual ‘Give Cycle Space’ campaign aims to reduce close pass incidents and make Scotland’s roads safer for people cycling, by raising awareness of the legal passing distance and the responsibility of drivers to safely overtake.
Drivers in Scotland face a £100 fine or conviction, and penalty points on their licence for passing within 1.5m of people cycling when overtaking, and a conviction for a more serious offence. However, findings from this study show that a quarter of drivers (23%) are unaware that driving closer than 1.5 metres is an offence that could result in a charge of careless or dangerous driving.
For 2023, the ‘Give Cycle Space’ campaign message is ‘Leave Space for a Life’. Visuals of people cycling from a driver’s viewpoint humanise the person on the bike, with the television ad showing footage of the friends, family and loved ones of the person cycling. A dangerous overtake shows the risk that drivers take when they don’t give the required passing distance stated in the Highway Code of at least 1.5 metres.
Cycling Scotland’s campaign – which runs on television, radio, online and on buses until 19 June – is funded by Transport Scotland.
Staff photos
Cycling Scotland Chief Executive Keith Irving said:“Every week in Scotland, at least four people cycling suffer serious, potentially life-changing injuries, usually from a crash with a vehicle. To make cycling safer and support more people to travel by bike, we need a network of dedicated cycle lanes, police enforcement and education on reducing road danger.
“Our campaign highlights that drivers need to give at least 1.5 metres of space when passing someone on a bike. Together with the police, we’re raising awareness of the risks of careless driving.
“More people are taking up cycling in Scotland and even more people need to cycle more journeys for our country to reach net zero. We must not accept a corresponding rise in serious injuries and deaths.
“Please remember to drive safely around people on bikes. Leave space for a life.”
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Head of Road Policing, said: “Every driver has a responsibility to safely overtake cyclists and understand how their actions can impact the life of that person riding a bike.
“As we approach the summer months, there will be more people using Scotland’s roads. All road users should take care, plan their journey and be aware of cyclists who are more vulnerable.”
“Enforcement is key to preventing road danger and dashcam and helmet cam footage can provide vital evidence to support this. Introduction of a dashcam portal, now in use throughout England and Wales, is critical to allow people to report dangerous driving behaviour and keep everyone safer on our roads.”
Shgufta Anwar, Founder of Glasgow-based charity, Women on Wheelsadded: “I experience so much joy from cycling, but being closely overtaken is an all too familiar occurrence.
“My worst experience was when out cycling with my then primary school aged children, when a car came extremely close to my daughter and revved the engine, frightening her and making her almost fall in front of the car. Fortunately, she regained her balance, but it was a really scary experience for us all and she could have been seriously injured.
“As a person who cycles and drives, I think about both when I make choices on the road. Scotland’s roads would be a lot safer if all drivers had this perspective – especially if they knew how frightening it was when a car passes too closely.”
More information about the Give Cycle Space campaign can be found at:
UK Government launches new strategy to cut fraud, pursue fraudsters and empower the public
A new elite team of specialist investigators will turn the tables on fraudsters as part of the UK Government’s new action to tackle fraud and stop scammers from exploiting people.
The new National Fraud Squad will overhaul how these crimes are investigated by taking a proactive, intelligence-led approach, backed by 400 new specialist investigators. It will work with local forces, international partners and the UK intelligence community to ensure that callous fraud cells who target millions of Brits each day are shut down.
Fraud is now the most common crime in the UK, with 1 in 15 of us falling victim, costing nearly £7 billion a year. With developments in modern technology opening up new avenues for criminals to target victims, 9 in 10 internet users have also encountered online scams.
The Fraud Strategy, unveiled yesterday, marks a step forward in the government’s fight back against scammers, in response to how these crimes have evolved.
New measures will close the routes that scammers use to target victims, including by banning cold calls on all financial products – such as types of insurance or sham crypto currency schemes – and working with Ofcom to use new technology to further clamp down on number ‘spoofing’, so fraudsters cannot impersonate legitimate UK phone numbers.
Government will also ban other devices or methods commonly harnessed by scammers to reach thousands of people at once such as so-called ‘SIM farms’ and review the use of mass texting services to keep these technologies out of the hands of criminals.
To make it easier for victims to report fraud and rebuild confidence that cases are being dealt with properly, a new system, replacing the current Action Fraud service will be up and running within the year.
Backed by a £30 million investment, it will provide a simpler route for reporting fraud online, with reduced waiting times and an online portal to allow victims to get timely updates on the progress of their case.
This improved service will also ensure victims’ reports are acted upon more effectively, using data to ensure we can continue to build intelligence as criminals continue to find new ways to target victims.
Seventy per cent of fraud in the UK either starts overseas or has an international link – to drive forward global efforts to tackle these crimes, the government will work bilaterally to raise fraud as a key priority. The Home Secretary will host the first global fraud summit in the UK to guarantee international collaboration to tackle this threat.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: Scammers ruin lives in seconds, deceiving people in the most despicable ways in order to line their pockets.
“We will take the fight to these fraudsters, wherever they try to hide. By blocking scams at the source, boosting protections for people and bolstering enforcement, we will stop more of these cold-hearted crimes from happening in the first place and make sure justice is done.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “Fraud is a blight on our country with ruthless criminals scamming the British public out of their hard-earned cash. They exploit people’s trust and steal their life savings, shattering their confidence and leaving them feeling vulnerable.
“It also fuels serious organised crime and terrorism. Meanwhile scammers are adapting, taking advantage of new technology to prey on more victims.
“It is vital we adopt a new approach to this threat. The Fraud Strategy outlines how we will use all levers available to us – through government, law enforcement, industry and international partners – to track down these criminals, intercept their scams and bring them to justice.”
To push the response to fraud at the highest level, a new Anti-Fraud Champion, Anthony Browne MP, has been appointed. He will draw on his considerable experience as the former CEO of the British Banking Association to drive collaboration with industry and represent the UK internationally.
Anti-Fraud Champion, Anthony Browne MP said: “Fraud has grown to be the biggest form of crime in the UK, causing financial and emotional distress to millions of people.
“The tech sector, phone companies and financial services firms must take responsibility for protecting their users by stopping fraud happening in the first place, and work together to design out fraud. We can use the technologies fraudsters are exploiting against them to stop them in their tracks, and I will work with industry to make sure that happens.”
In plans announced yesterday, banks will be allowed to delay payments from being processed for longer to allow for suspicious payments to be investigated, keeping cash out of the hands of fraudsters and stopping more people from falling victim.
We are working with the largest tech companies to make it as simple as possible to report fraud online, whether it be scam adverts or false celebrity endorsements. This means, regardless of which social media platform you are on, you should be able to find the ‘report’ button within a single click, and ‘report fraud or scam’ within another. TikTok and Snapchat already offer this for adverts but have committed to extending to other types of content.
Further measures include:
rolling out tailored support to victims at a local level across the whole of England and Wales through the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit
launching an independent review of the challenges in investigating and prosecuting fraud to speed up the justice process, punishing more scammers and ensuring sentences match the severity of the impact on victims
deploying the UK intelligence community to identify and disrupt more fraudsters overseas
publishing regular data on the volume of fraudulent content hosted on different websites and platforms to incentivise companies to root these out and better protect users – government will launch a consultation on how best to deliver this, including regularity of publications
Wednesday’s plans build on action already taken to step up protections for victims and clamp down on the criminals responsible for these crimes. That includes:
legislating to ensure more victims of fraud get their money back, by requiring financial institutions to reimburse victims of authorised fraud
making fraud a national priority for police forces, to help ramp up the response at local force level
investing £400 million for law enforcement to tackle economic crime, including fraud, over the next 3 years
new duties on tech companies through the Online Safety Bill to put systems in place to tackle scams on their platforms and publish annual transparency reports on their work to tackle online harms
Graeme Biggar, Director General of the National Crime Agency, said: “The NCA welcomes the new Fraud Strategy and our role in the National Fraud Squad.
“Through the National Economic Crime Centre, we will drive a proactive intelligence led response, holding fraudsters to account and protecting the public from criminals who operate increasingly online and overseas.
“We want fraudsters to feel the same vulnerability they inflict upon their victims, as we target their infrastructure, expose their identities and bring them to justice.”
Commissioner Angela McLaren from the City of London Police, which is the National Lead Force for fraud, said: “We welcome this strategy and the much-needed investment in policing to deliver against it.
“Tackling fraud requires a collective effort and we will continue to work with our partners across law enforcement and industry, doing everything in our power to pursue fraudsters and reduce the devastating harm they cause.”
Detectives in Edinburgh have renewed an appeal for information in connection with an attempted murder in the Davidson Mains area.
The incident happened on Main Street around 12.05am on Friday, 21 April, 2023.
A 20-year-old had been in a pub on Main Street and left the premises at around midnight.
Soon after leaving the bar, three men, dressed in dark coloured clothing and balaclavas, attacked the man with a weapon.
He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh by ambulance with serious injuries.
Enquiries have established a dark coloured 4×4 vehicle, possibly a Range Rover, closely followed by a smaller light coloured car, possibly a Vauxhall Corsa, and a further light coloured vehicle were driving from Quality Street onto Main Street around 12.01am on the date of the attack.
A pedal cyclist also travels from Cramond Road South onto Quality Street at the time and returns minutes later.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “None of these vehicles were involved in the attack but they passed the area shortly before or while the incident was ongoing.
“The occupants may have information which could help our investigation so if this was you please get in touch and speak to our officers. If you believe this was you and you have kept dashcam footage then again we would be keen to review this.
“I would also urge anyone else who may have information about the incident but has not yet spoken to police to get in touch as soon as you can.
“Anyone with information or dashcam footage is asked to contact officers on 101 quoting incident 0010 of 21, April, 2023. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.”
Councils can now apply for their share of £4.5 million to support the provision of after school and holiday clubs for Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas.
The funding will help improve both indoor and outdoor spaces in the school estate, with schools also encouraged to consider wider community needs.
First Minister Humza Yousaf set out details of the funding as he convened a national anti-poverty summit in Edinburgh yesterday.
The First Minister said: “Tackling poverty must be a shared priority for us all and this summit offers the opportunity to listen to a wide range of views to help us take the right action to drive down inequality across Scotland.
“Helping families deal with cost of living pressures is one of our key priorities and providing further funding for affordable and accessible school age childcare will help deliver that.
“Funded school age childcare supports parents and carers into work and enables them to support their families, while also providing a nurturing environment for children to take part in a wide range of activities.
“Scotland already has the most generous childcare offer anywhere in the UK. All three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds are entitled to 1,140 hours a year of funded early learning and childcare. We are working with partners to make further progress, with plans to develop a funded early learning and childcare offer for one and two-year-olds by 2026, focusing on those who need it most.”
The Scottish Government will provide a £4.5m recurring Capital Fund, managed and administered by Scottish Futures Trust, to deliver improvements to the school estate that will support the provision of before and after school and holiday clubs within Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities.
The intention is that the fund will be limited to the school estate (both indoor and outdoor spaces) for year one, but schools will be encouraged to consider wider community needs and spaces where children want to be after school or during the holidays, particularly where links or partnerships already exist.
The £4.5m fund will be open to all Local Authorities who will be required to demonstrate how they have worked in partnership with school age childcare and activities providers, to be ambitious in their ideas, and to define projects which will deliver benefit for children and families, particularly those from low-income areas.
Funded school age childcare is targeted at families on the lowest incomes, specifically the six priority family types identified in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan (lone parent families, minority ethnic families, families with a disabled adult or child, families with a younger mother [under 25], families with a child under one, and larger families.)
Leader in aesthetic treatments Laser Clinics UK has announced it will be opening a clinic this April in Hanover Street naming Edinburgh as a priority destination for its ambitious UK expansion.
Laser Clinics is the largest cosmetic clinic company globally, offering state-of-the-art laser hair removal, vascular and pigmentation therapy as well as skin treatments, LED light enhancement and cosmetic injectables. It has over 200 stores globally and with an ambition to take the brand and services to over 100 destinations across the UK.
A spokesperson for Laser Clinics United Kingdom said, “We are very much looking forward to opening a clinic in Edinburgh. We assess all our locations carefully and it has always been a key destination in our expansion plans, we feel that we have found the ideal location at Hanover Street.
“We are already starting to build our team and would welcome applications from therapists already skilled in laser hair removal and skin treatments. At Laser Clinics we recognise that many of our services offer life changing benefits to our clients. Our Therapists and Clinicians often provide interventions that positively contribute to greater wellbeing, improved self-esteem and confidence.”
Laser Clinics United Kingdom, Edinburgh will offer the following services:
• Laser Hair Removal – Laser Hair Removal permanently reduces hair so you don’t have to waste time shaving, leaving you ready at a moment’s notice. Laser Clinics have treatments suitable for all skin types and offer complimentary consultations.
• Skin Treatments – Revitalise your skin by targeting any area – wrinkles, veins, pigmentation, acne or scarring, or simply create a more radiant complexion. Enhance, rejuvenate, refresh your skin with a range of non-invasive, professional treatments.
• Cosmetic Injectables – Wrinkles and volume loss are a natural part of the ageing process – as our skin gets thinner and our body decreases its production of natural collagen and elastin.
From dermal fillers to anti-wrinkle treatments, lip filler to chin sculpting, the experienced team at Laser Clinics can provide a tailored treatment plan to deliver on your aesthetic goals. Laser Clinics United Kingdom, Edinburgh will be located at 16 Hanover Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EN.
Businesses in Scotland abstracting water from the environment are being urged to plan for possible shortages this summer, with some parts of the country already recording low river levels and dry ground conditions.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published the first water scarcity report of 2023, which shows parts of western, central and northern Scotland have reached Early Warning level for water scarcity.
It follows mixed conditions over the last six months, with winter drier than average across most of the country, in contrast to a mostly wet autumn. A particularly dry February has also contributed to lower than normal river flows and groundwater levels for this time of year.
Nathan Critchlow-Watton, Head of Water and Planning at SEPA, said: “Given the mixed weather we’ve experienced in autumn and winter, and the fact that some parts are already at Early Warning level, what happens next will shape the risk of water scarcity this summer. We can’t rule out a repeat of the water shortages businesses experienced last year.
“It’s vital that water abstractors licensed by SEPA have a plan to deal with water scarcity and we can help by providing advice and guidance on ways to reduce pressure on the water environment. Taking the right steps now will lower the likelihood of resources reaching a critical level again this summer and SEPA having to suspend licences to protect the water environment.”
SCOTLAND’S CHANGING CLIMATE
The latest IPCC report on climate change, published in March 2023, is clear that the window of opportunity to secure a sustainable future is rapidly closing and meaningful action is needed in all corners of the world.
Scotland is no exception. Although a country famed worldwide for its natural water environment and wet weather, the reality is water is not an infinite resource here. Climate change is bringing hotter, drier summers and is forcing the nation to change its relationship with water.
Significant impacts from water scarcity were apparent during 2022, particularly in the east of the country. Groundwater levels in the region were their lowest since records began in 2009 and there was below average rainfall in eight out of the twelve months.
In August and September 2022, SEPA took steps to protect the environment from the effects of prolonged dry weather by imposing suspensions on 175 water abstraction licences in four catchment areas. This required support and compliance from businesses, predominantly within the agriculture sector, around the rivers Eden, Tyne, Tweed and Ythan. Abstractors were required to stop taking water from these areas or reduce volumes for a brief period to allow levels to recover.
Environmental Resources Policy Manager at NFUS, Sarah Cowie, said: “Water is a vital resource for the agricultural sector, we cannot produce food without a consistent and plentiful water supply.
“Last year, SEPA suspended abstraction licences for some growers for the first time. This stark response to a prolonged period of dry weather highlights the impacts of a changing climate and the pressures it can bring on farm businesses.
“NFUS encourages all farmers and growers to think about water use on farm as early as possible, to plan for the coming summer season. This will ensure businesses can remain resilient at all times of the year.”
WORKING WITH BUSINESSES
Thriving, successful and sustainable Scottish businesses will be those that recognise the link between environmental and economic prosperity. Part of that is the critical role of managing our water resources and SEPA supports organisations to do this in sectors such as agriculture, aquaculture, hydropower, golf, and whisky production.
Pulteney in Wick is one of Scotland’s most northerly mainland whisky distilleries and relies solely on Loch Hempriggs to supply its water for production of its single malt whisky, Old Pulteney.
In Summer 2021, operators could see water levels at the loch were perilously low. Instead of waiting for regulatory action, the distillery worked with SEPA and followed advice on managing the resource. Production was voluntarily halted, and personnel were instead deployed to other maintenance tasks to ensure lost production days were made up efficiently once water supplies increased again.
International Beverage Group Distilleries Manager, Sean Priestley, said: “We’re acutely aware of the real risk of water scarcity, particularly in an area like Caithness where water is constrained. We made a decision not to shy away from this and to instead do the right thing for the environment, no matter how challenging this might be for our business.
“Loch Hempriggs is a vital natural resource, not one that we can simply replace or use technology to fix. It needs careful management, time and of course plenty of rain to sustain it. Responsibility for its stewardship falls to us.”
As well as implementing current water scarcity plans, the distillery is also focusing on innovation to find more sustainable ways of distilling whisky.
The team has been conducting a number of high gravity mashing trials to establish the best possible production process, minimising water usage while still maintaining the character of the Old Pulteney spirit.
High gravity mashing has proven successful at other International Beverage distilleries in Scotland and will have a positive impact on water usage at Pulteney once implemented.
ADVICE AHEAD OF THIS SUMMER
All water abstractors should be aware of the potential risk of water scarcity this summer, monitor their water use, and plan ahead for a range of weather conditions.
Businesses should review available options to increase their resilience and reduce the impacts of water scarcity. For example, land managers could consider investing in equipment and infrastructure to improve water-use efficiency such as an irrigation lagoon. Information on any financial support available to land managers can be found via the Scottish Rural Development Programme.
Those collecting water from the same source are urged to work together with neighbours and stagger abstractions to make best use of available water.
Edinburgh students encouraged to enter innovative challenge fronted by TV architect
Architect and TV presenter George Clarke has issued the final call for entries to a creative challenge which will shape the design of a £25m complex-needs facility.
Young people in Edinburgh are being invited to take part in a design brief to imagine how a new inclusive community and sustainable building project in Perth could look like.
With the deadline for entries fast approaching, designs should be submitted by 26th May, and consider how people can live sustainably and affordably while meeting individual needs and preserving the environment for future generations.
The challenge will help inform Capability Scotland’s new inclusive Bertha Park facility in Perth, which is in partnership with the Ministry of Building Innovation and Education [MOBIE] – a charity founded by George Clarke to inspire young people to get involved in housing and community design for the future.
George said: “The imagination of young people is something we would really like to harness in this project, and in future housing and community designs.
“We want to hear from a wide range of young people, from primary pupils right through to postgraduate students. Entries are open to schools, colleges, and universities across Scotland, as well as those who wish to work independently.
“It is hoped the project will also inspire and uncover the next generation of architectural talent while sharing innovative solutions on how the new site can champion inclusive living and learning.”
The challenge is looking for young people to come up with ways to define what makes a community. For some that might be about being good neighbours, enjoying shared spaces, or creating new and positive opportunities.
The new site will consist of 60 self-contained studio flats for individuals with complex needs. A new primary school, followed by high quality, energy-efficient housing. These will be built on the site adjacent to the existing Bertha Park High School.
Sponsorship from Springfield Properties and Sigma Capital Group has been received for the challenge prizes which include a £250 technology voucher for the winning entry from each category as well as a trophy specially design and produced by Capability Scotland service users at its studio day centre in Perth.
Brian Logan, CEO of Capability Scotland, the organisation behind the new facility named ‘Our Inclusive Community Project’, said: “We have been supporting individuals living with complex needs in the area for decades and the new site will enhance and expand this current support.
“Young people are vital to the future of housing and we want to maximise their involvement in helping shape this major project – especially as we’re committed to making it an exemplar service from the offset.
“With unfettered imaginations, we’re looking forward to hearing the amazing ideas from young Scots.”
Bertha Park High School and two Perth primary schools, as well as Capability Scotland’s two specialist schools and college – Corseford College and Corseford School in Renfrewshire and Stanmore House School in Lanark – have already signed up to participate in the creative challenge.
The challenge is being partnered by Perth and Kinross Council and Scottish Water, alongside Capability Scotland and MOBIE.
MOBIE was founded in 2017 by architect and television presenter George Clarke to inspire young people to revolutionise the way we think about the places in which we live. He aims to give younger generations a way to define how they want to live now and in the future.
Capability Scotland is a charity delivering care, support, and education for disabled children and adults across Scotland. It has a range of facilities and services across the country which helps its customers achieve the best outcomes in their lives, no matter their needs.
MOBIE has hosted webinars to help inspire students create concepts boards and give tips on how to finalise presentation for submissions to competitions which can be found here:
