Hundreds of former pupils, staff, partners and friends gathered at Portobello High School for a special anniversary lunch celebrating 150 years of the school at the heart of its community last week.
The event was just one of several ran throughout the year to mark the milestone and brought together generations of the Portobello community to reflect on the school’s rich history and celebrate the important role it continues to play in the area.
Guests enjoyed tours of the school and an extensive exhibition featuring photographs, documents and memorabilia from across the decades.
The celebration also included the launch of the school’s new digital archive, which will help preserve its history and make it accessible to former pupils and the wider community.
Former pupils and members of staff shared memories of their time at Portobello, while a special reflection remembered those who are sadly no longer with us.
Headteacher Greg McDowall said: “It was a wonderful occasion and a real privilege to welcome so many people back to Portobello.
“There was an incredible warmth throughout the day, with former pupils and staff reconnecting, sharing stories and celebrating everything the school has meant to the community over the past 150 years.
“Although we are enormously proud of our history, this celebration was also about looking ahead and ensuring that the legacy of Portobello High School continues for future generations.”
The school is encouraging former pupils, staff and members of the community to explore the Porty 150 digital archive on its website, where further photographs, memories and historical materials will continue to be added.
The archive was created by Ian Small, former pupil and former school dux and was awarded the MacIntyre prize by the school at the lunch for his hard work.
A number of events will also be held in the coming months, providing further opportunities for people to visit the school, spend time exploring the archive and share their own memories of Portobello High School. you can find out more at the Porty 150 section of the school website.
Scotland is being invited to celebrate the joy of reading as a new national library campaign launches with one simple ask: make a pledge to read.
Wee Read, taking place on Wednesday 7 October 2026, will bring together people of all ages, interests and abilities for a collective celebration of reading for pleasure – whether that means getting lost in a novel, flicking through a magazine or comic, finding new recipe inspiration in a cookbook or finally getting round to the manual that’s been sitting on your bedside table.
The campaign is a Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) programme funded by the Scottish Government and supported by libraries, culture and literacy partners across Scotland.
Part of the National Year of Reading 2026, Wee Read officially launched at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, with comedian, writer and TV presenter Mel Giedroyc, award-winning children’s author M G Leonard and Scots language poet Len Pennie among the first to make their Wee Read pledge alongside children, families and a curious audience of all ages.
TV and radio presenter Bryan Burnett, award-winning author, playwright, academic and journalist Ali Smith, novelist Hannah Lillith Assadi and journalist and author Alison van Diggelen also showed their support for the campaign, making their pledge to have a Wee Read on 7 October.
The launch formed part of the Festival’s vibrant programme of activities celebrating the power of words, stories and ideas, providing a fitting setting to invite people across Scotland to join in a shared celebration of reading.
The message behind Wee Read is simple: reading doesn’t have to look a certain way to count. From poetry and comics to newspapers, cookbooks, blogs and travel guides, Scotland is being encouraged to discover – or rediscover – the joy of reading whatever they enjoy, for however long they can.
Ahead of the national reading moment, people across Scotland are now being encouraged to visit www.WeeRead.scot and make their own pledge to read on 7 October.
The campaign also shines a spotlight on Scotland’s local libraries which offer a gateway to discovering something new, with free access to a wide variety of reading materials, resources and activities.
Alison Nolan, chief executive of SLIC, said: “Reading has the power to entertain us, inspire us, help us escape and connect us with other people. But at its heart, Wee Read is about something wonderfully simple: making time to read something you enjoy.
“There is no right way to take part. You can read a novel, a comic, a magazine, a newspaper or a recipe; you can read for five minutes or fifty. Every read counts.
“We hope Wee Read encourages people across Scotland to find something that sparks their interest or rediscover the pleasure of an old favourite. With our brilliant local libraries on hand to help everyone find their next read, there’s never been a better time to get involved – and perhaps even kickstart a new reading habit.”
From families reading together and schools sharing stories, to workplaces taking a reading break and communities coming together around a favourite book, Wee Read aims to create a moment of shared enjoyment across the country with a target of 50,000 pledges.
People are encouraged to make their pledge, visit their local library to find their next read and share their recommendations using #WeeRead26.
Make your Wee Read pledge today at www.WeeRead.scot and join Scotland in celebrating the joy of reading on Wednesday 7 October 2026.
One of Edinburgh’s most recognisable landmarks is celebrating a major milestone this summer, with visitors invited to join in the celebrations.
From 10 to 17 August, the Council is marking the anniversary with 12 free tickets available each day for visitors wishing to climb the famous monument. Tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Those who complete the climb of 221 steps will receive a special commemorative certificate to mark the occasion.
Completed in 1844 and opened in 1846, the Scott Monument was built in memory of Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland’s best-loved writers and the author of Waverley and many other classic novels. Scott, who died in 1932, played a pivotal role in promoting Scotland’s history and culture through his writing.
Affectionately known by many as the “Gothic Rocket”, the monument is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic architecture. Designed by architect George Meikle Kemp following a competition in 1838, it is adorned with statues of writers, poets, and characters from Scott’s novels. Tragically, Kemp died before seeing his masterpiece completed, drowning in the Union Canal shortly before construction finished.
At its base sits John Steell’s statue of Sir Walter Scott alongside his faithful dog, Maida, overlooking Princes Street that remains at the heart of the city Scott helped to celebrate through his work.
Cllr Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said:“The Scott Monument is one of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks and a much-loved part of our city’s heritage.
“I’m delighted to be celebrating its 180th anniversary by giving more people the chance to experience the monument, whether that’s climbing to enjoy its spectacular views or learning more about the life and legacy of Sir Walter Scott.
“We hope residents and visitors alike will join us in marking this special milestone.”
A special multicultural event celebrating the contributions of New Scots to Scotland’s cultural life, is set to take place in Edinburgh this weekend as part of Refugee Festival Scotland.
The New Scots Extravaganza, organised by Hibernian Community Foundation, will bring together performers from Scottish, Ukrainian, Crimean Tatar, African, Afghan and Indian communities through music, dance and storytelling.
Taking place on World Refugee Day, this Saturday 20 June, at Edinburgh’s Norton Park, the performances will celebrate community, art and culture, championing the diverse cultures that contribute to life in Scotland and exploring themes of roots, memory, displacement, resilience and belonging.
Combining authentic cultural expression with moments of artistic collaboration, the event highlights how diverse traditions continue to live, evolve and enrich the cultural life of Edinburgh.
The New Scots Extravaganza aims to create a space where communities are seen, heard and valued, and where Scotland is celebrated as a place shaped by many voices, stories and cultures.
Organiser Vitaliia Melnyk said: “For me, this event is important because it creates a space where people from different backgrounds can be seen, heard and valued. It is an opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity, and recognise the experiences, contributions and stories of people who have made Scotland their new home.
“As a Ukrainian living in Scotland, I have seen how culture can create connection, even when people come from very different places. New Scots Extravaganza is about building those connections and showing that Scotland is enriched by the people who have arrived here and become part of its communities.”
This year’s Refugee Festival Scotland sees hundreds of events staged across Scotland, all designed to put solidarity centre stage and bring people together in celebration of art, culture and community.
Run by Scottish Refugee Council, the annual festival showcases the music, dance, food, art, film, language and ideas that enrich communities.
Refugee Festival Scotland Manager, Mónica Laiseca said: “Refugee Festival Scotland is a festival for everyone. This year’s programme brings together artists, communities and audiences from across the country to share culture and time together in meaningful ways, with each event, artist and participant bringing their own perspective to the programme.
“We’re proud to showcase the creativity, resilience and hope that refugees bring to Scotland, and highlight the richness of culture that flourishes when everyone feels they belong. In a time when calls for unity and compassion are more important than ever, this festival is a reminder of what we can achieve together.”
New Scots Extravaganza takes place at Norton Park, Edinburgh at 2pm, Saturday 20 June and is free to attend.
The swifts are back! They spend the winter flying (without ever landing!) and go all the way to North Africa and back.
During the summer, they’re back, and it’s our neighbourhood where they choose to bring up a family. These amazing birds can eat 100,000 insects per day (including midgies) and can fly at 69mph!
We’re having a wee party to celebrate their return. See poster for details.
Lots of us have been learning more about the different species we share Granton with, and the things we can do to be good neighbours to them. Come join us!
Photography enthusiasts are being encouraged to enter a competition running until October celebrating three decades of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site.
The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were first inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995 making this World Heritage Day (Saturday, 18 April) so special as the competition is part of the Site’s 30th birthday celebrations.
This makes this weekend the perfect time to explore the Old and New Towns to capture images of one of the most extraordinary urban landscapes in the world.
Entries will be grouped into twelve categories, each celebrating a particular value of Scotland’s capital city. The winning photograph in each category will become part of a year-long calendar, which will be sold on Historic Scotland sites and at Edinburgh World Heritage events to raise money for the Trust.
The over-all winner will take pride of place on the front cover of the calendar and will receive a one-year membership for Historic Scotland, who run top-rated visitor attractions all over the country.
The entries will be judged by Tom Duffin, a professional photographer who specialises in showcasing Edinburgh’s heritage; Neil Hanna, a multi-award-winning photographer with over 35 years of experience; and Jane Bradley, celebrated Arts and Culture Correspondent at the Scotsman.
This year’s World Heritage Day celebrations also include the following event:
DID JOHN BAYNE TAKE A SECRET TO HIS GRAVE?
TODAY (Saturday 18 April) as part of the Legacies in Stone project, Edinburgh World Heritage, the Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard, and the Council (funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund) aim to lift the lid on a secret centuries in the making: does a broken gravestone in John Bayne’s mausoleum hide a forgotten burial vault?
By repairing a simple flat grave slab, the aim is to unlock the mystery of this unique tomb in Scotland’s most famous kirkyard.
How to join:
In person: Attend the event in Greyfriars Kirkyard, followed by expert talks at Augustine United Church.
Cllr Joan Griffiths Planning Convener said: “This year World Heritage Day is so special as there is much to celebrate. The 30th birthday is a significant achievement and milestone to reach as looking after the Site with our partners takes a lot of care and has many challenges. Edinburgh is a living, breathing city and it needs to be well managed to balance the needs of our residents, businesses and visitors.
“This World Heritage Day is a great time to enter our photography competition as it’s a lovely time of year to capture the changing light, sunsets and skylines this part of our stunning capital city is so famous for.
“The beautiful spring flowers appearing in the many gardens and open spaces are also there for us all to enjoy. If you’re interested in photography, why not explore the area this weekend to capture what inspires you most about the Old and New Towns.
“You could combine your visit to find out if John Bayne took a secret to his grave by attending the event in Greyfriars Kirkyard – or if history is more your interest – just attend the event instead.”
George Findlater, Head of Community and Economic Development at Historic Environment Scotland, said:“After thirty years of being a World Heritage Site, Edinburgh continues to inspire admiration from visitors and locals alike.
“We are excited to offer a year’s membership to Historic Scotland as a prize in the photography competition, and World Heritage Day is a terrific opportunity to bring out your camera and capture what makes Edinburgh so unique across the competition categories.”
Douglas Brotherston, Chairman of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: “Thirty years as a World Heritage Site is quite a wonderful achievement and we are delighted at Edinburgh World Heritage, together with our partners at HES and the City of Edinburgh Council to mark the occasion by holding this photography competition.
“The unique appeal of Edinburgh’s streets and landscapes, skylines and special heritage is so varied, it lives up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We hope that we will get many entries from locals and visitors alike who can capture the glorious views of our spectacular city.”
The twelve categories for which applicants can submit their photographs are:
The team at Amazon’s Dunfermline fulfilment centre enjoyed a celebratory event recently at Glen Pavillion to mark the company’s busiest trading period.
Hundreds of Amazon employees gathered to mark the successful completion of ‘peak’ – the weeks leading up to Christmas when customer orders reach their highest levels of the year.
The festive shopping period sees Amazon welcome thousands of seasonal colleagues across its UK operations network, all working alongside permanent team members to ensure packages arrive on time for customers nationwide.
The post-peak celebration has become an annual tradition, giving teams the opportunity to come together and reflect on their collective achievements.
Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “While many businesses are quietening down for the holidays, our teams come together to deliver for our customers locally and around the UK.
“This celebration is our way of saying thank you to every single person who played their part in making Christmas special for our customers.
“It’s been fantastic to bring everyone together to celebrate what we’ve accomplished as a team, and I’m excited about what we’ll achieve together in 2026.”
Christina Watson, an Amazon employee who attended the celebration, said: “The party was a great way to celebrate everything we accomplished together during our busiest time of year.
“There’s a real sense of camaraderie here, and it’s brilliant to work alongside such a dedicated team. I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of 2026 brings.”
A group of lifesaving volunteers from Penicuik have recently celebrated their 20th anniversary at Penicuik Rugby Club.
Penicuik Community First Responders (CFRs) are volunteers trained by the Scottish Ambulance Service to respond to a potential life-threatening emergency in the vital first few minutes before an ambulance crew arrives.
The group covers the EH26 post code area and responds to emergencies such as cardiac arrests, heart attacks, seizures, and strokes. The group also maintain and manage eight publicly accessible external defibrillators (AED) in the area.
In addition to their lifesaving emergency response work and AED management, over the past 20 years, the Penicuik CFRs have delivered CPR and defibrillator awareness sessions to 1,128 people, helping residents gain the confidence and skills to act in a medical emergency.
Bill Lawson, Penicuik Community First Responder, said: “I have been a Community First Responder for nearly 20 years and what has struck me most is that the basic premise behind the CFR role and the aspirations of those who undertake the role is the same now as it has always been.
“The CFR role is a challenging one, but it has given me much more than it has taken. Being able to help people in times of stress has given me a profound sense of appreciation.
“Penicuik’s CFRs have come from a range of background and experiences but all of them have been dedicated volunteers, wanting to give something back to their community. It has been a delight and a privilege to be part of this group.”
Michael Dickson, Chief Executive, said: “Congratulations to the Penicuik Community First Responder Group on achieving this fantastic milestone. It was great to celebrate with them at their event, and this milestone is a testament to their dedication as volunteers.
“Our Community First Responders play a vital role in their communities and we are thankful to each and every one of them.”
For more information on the group and how to join as a volunteer:
Edinburgh Blue Balls, known for its cold-water dips and open conversations, launches its first Edinburgh Blue Balls Annual.
The coffee table–style publication is a bold and raw collection of portraits and personal stories told by men, for all to read.
The Annual is free of charge and distributed across independent cafés, bookshops and workplaces. A launch event will take place on 14 November at The Pitt, Granton, where everyone is welcome to see the portraits and meet the men behind the stories featured in the Annual.
Founded in 2021 by photographer Marc Millar, what began as a handful of strangers meeting for cold-water dips at Portobello Beach, has grown into a supportive community. Around 40 men now gather every Sunday and mid-week for dips, to connect, and talk openly about mental health.
Edinburgh Blue Balls exists to keep the conversation around men’s wellbeing alive. No membership, no expectations, just men showing up, sharing, and finding strength in connection.
The launch of the Annual marks the start of a growing body of creative work highlighting the lived experiences of men, from resilience and recovery to laughter and loss.
Featuring stories from men across Scotland and portraits by photographers Marc Millar and Graham Williams, the publication captures the unfiltered reality of men’s mental health.
The Annual also includes contributions from comedian Greg Hemphill and footballer Zander Murray, exploring masculinity, vulnerability, and visibility in sport and society.
Marc Millar, founder of Edinburgh Blue Balls, said:“We spend too much time scrolling past things that deserve to stop us in our tracks.
“I wanted people to sit with these stories, to hold them, feel them, and connect. It’s not about likes or followers; it’s about being human, together.
“Everyday pressures continue to impact men’s mental health and wellbeing, something I’ve seen first-hand, and the stigma and shame that still exists.
“The stories in the Annual are honest, sometimes heavy, but full of hope. They show that even in the darkest moments, when men connect, talk, and support each other, things start to change.”
The Annual was supported by The National Lottery Community Fund and will be launched on the 14 November at The Pitt Market, Granton.
