Oasis fans flocked to Fort Kinnaird last weekend to enjoy a free live performance by popular tribute band ‘Oasus’.
The event allowed fans who missed out on tickets to the Murrayfield shows to still join in the fun and the gig saw the group perform classics such as Wonderwall, Live Forever, and Don’t Look Back in Anger
Oasis fans of all ages turned up for the tribute, including families and little ones proudly sporting iconic bucket hats
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“There’s so much excitement around the Oasis reunion gigs at Murrayfield, so it was only right that we brought a bit of that buzz to Fort Kinnaird too.
“Oasus are a brilliant tribute act, and their free show was the perfect chance for Oasis fans of all ages to get involved in the action. It was a great way to spend a Sunday – with attendees grabbing a bite, enjoying the music, and making a proper day of it with friends and family.”
The event was just one of the free events that took place at Fort Kinnaird this summer, designed to offer visitors of all ages memorable, free experiences. The centre also hosted character visits inspired by popular blockbuster films including Wicked and Lilo & Stich.
GORDON MACDONALD HIGHLIGHTS SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMILIES
As children across Edinburgh head back to school, local SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has highlighted the wide range of support available to help families with the cost of learning, including almost 7720 Best Start Grant – School Age Payments worth a total of ££2,132,033 paid out to local families in the last year.
The Best Start Grant – School Age Payment is a one-off payment of £314.45 to eligible families when their child starts primary school, helping with essentials such as school uniforms, shoes, and bags. This is in addition to the Best Start Foods payment card, which supports families with the cost of healthy food throughout the year.
The SNP Government has also expanded free school meals to all pupils in primary 1-5, with plans to extend this to all primary pupils in the lifetime of this parliament. Free school meals save families hundreds of pounds each year while ensuring every child has access to a healthy, nutritious lunch.
To help with the cost of uniforms, the SNP has increased the national minimum School Clothing Grant to at least £120 for primary pupils and £150 for secondary pupils, available through local councils to eligible families.
Commenting, Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “The start of the school year is an exciting time for children, but it can also be a financially challenging time for families. That’s why I’m proud that in the last year alone, 7720 payments worth ££2,132,033 have gone to families in Edinburgh through the Best Start Grant – School Age Payment.
“From the Best Start Grant and School Clothing Grants, to free school meals and the Scottish Child Payment, the SNP is taking real, practical action to support families and tackle child poverty.
“While Labour austerity continues to squeeze household incomes, the SNP is using the powers we have to put money in the pockets of families across the city ensuring every child has the best possible start in life.”
Local authority area
[NUMBER]Number of Best Start Grant – School Age Payments
[VALUE]Value of Best Start Grant – School Age Payments
Craigyroyston Community Youth Football Club has been gifted a brand-new pavilion by the City of Edinburgh Council.
At an official ceremony to handover the modern new facility yesterday (Friday, 15 August) Council Leader Jane Meagher presented youth team members and club representatives with the keys to the Pavilion.
Relocating the club to their new modern premises at Marine Drive is part of the Council’s wider £1.3bn generation of Granton Waterfront.
The former club base was previously on adjacent land where the Council is building 143 new environmentally friendly affordable homes known as the Silverlea development.
The half a million-pound project, funded by the Council, has delivered modern changing rooms with showers and a café for club members, their families and other visitors to enjoy.
Designed by architects Smith Scott Mullan, Cruden delivered the project on behalf of the Council and has also gifted the signage and branding in the new facility.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “As we continue to deliver our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront, this is a perfect example of our commitment to creating healthy and vibrant communities in the area.
“Investing in our young people is an important part of this work. The former club base was on land that we needed to build affordable homes.
“Providing these modern facilities right next to our Silverlea site works well for the young footballers and the wider community, allowing the club to thrive and attract new members in the future. “
Colin Dudgeon Club Secretary said: “This is a historic day for us. For the first couple of years setting up Craigroyston Community Youth Football Club we didn’t have a home until we moved into Craigroyston Park in 2009.
“The club base we’ve been using wasn’t in good condition and so we’d like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for our magnificent new club base for our players and parents to call our home. Thanks as well to Cruden for their part in this project and the signage and branding they kindly gifted for the building.
“We can offer safe, hygienic, and modern facilities to our players with changing rooms and showers suitable for all ages and parents can relax in our new Craigie Café, which will be opening on match days soon.”
Michael Palethrope, Community Benefit Manager for Cruden, said: “Community-run clubs like Craigroyston CYFC are at the heart of great neighbourhoods, and we’re proud to support them.
“Alongside building quality, energy-efficient homes and green spaces, we always look for ways to give back to the communities we work in.
“This club is a fantastic example of that, and we can’t wait to see them thrive in their new home.”
Over 350,000 Baby Boxes packed with essential items for newborns have been delivered across Scotland, saving expectant parents around £400 and giving children the best start in life.
The Scottish Government’s universal Baby Box programme, the only one of its kind in the UK, is offered to all parents of newborn babies. Backed by almost £8 million funding in 2025-26, the Baby Box helps to ensure that every family has access to items needed in the first six months of a child’s life, as well as a safe space to sleep.
Marking the eight-year anniversary of the programme, First Minister John Swinney will meet expectant mother Mairi Morrison and her partner George Waddington at Western Isles Hospital in Lewis to deliver their Baby Box.
The First Minister said: “Scotland’s Baby Box strongly signals our determination that every child, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life. The programme is supporting families right across the length and bread of Scotland, including here in the Western Isles where 1,281 boxes have been delivered to date.
“It is clear that this universal offer, a UK first, has been hugely successful with 89% of all parents with newborn babies registering for a box – benefiting around 41,000 families annually.
“My number one priority as First Minister is to end child poverty in Scotland – and I am very proud of the impact that the baby box is making to support families across the country.”
The Scottish Government’s universal Baby Box programme opened for registration on 15 June 2017 with Boxes being delivered in August 2017.
The Baby Box includes items which support breastfeeding, such as breast pads and a leaflet with top tips on breastfeeding and how to access support. Among other items the Baby Box contains 2 baby books, a carrier sling, underarm thermometer, bath & room thermometer, play mat, around 15 items of clothes for age 0 – 6 months, a changing mat, a redeemable voucher for a reusable nappy and liners and many other useful items for mother and baby.
The 2025-26 Programme for Government includes a commitment to enhance the contents of the Baby Box by March 2026, building on feedback from parents and frontline practitioners working with families, which will strengthen support for early child development and to mitigate the impact of poverty on babies.
GRANTON GOES SUMMER – Saturday 16th August 10am to 2pm
Granton Goes SUMMER
Saturday 16th August 10am to 2pm
Granton Goes Summer in the grounds of Granton Parish Church.
Join the team at Granton Goes Greener for a family-friendly community event featuring a variety of workshops, stalls, and of course our famous Share ‘n’ Wear rails!
Find out more about Granton Goes Greener, while enjoying food and treats, including candy floss and a BBQ.
An Edinburgh mum has launched a children’s clothing brand designed specifically for children with disabilities after receiving specialised start-up support from Business Gateway.
Blue Bee Mike, founded by Kasia McGavigan, offers sensory-considerate clothing that supports the needs of children with additional support requirements. It is the only Scottish brand that creates this type of clothing.
The business is named in honour of her son Michael, who lives with autism, and inspired Kasia to create adaptive designs that combine comfort, dignity and practical use. She tests out any designs on Michael.
Through her experience as a mum to Michael, Kasia has seen first-hand how difficult it can be to find clothing for children with additional needs. She spotted this gap in the market and decided to start creating the clothes herself in 2024.
The idea began with the development of a specially designed onesie, created to ease everyday challenges for both children and carers. The onesie is zipped at the back to prevent the child from taking it off if they become distressed and also allows access for a feeding tube if needed.
Every product is designed with comfort, functionality and joy in mind, with the children’s needs at the heart. The clothes allow children to move freely and not be inhibited by their clothing. Kasia’s parents were tailors, so she grew up watching them create clothing and began helping as she got older.
Kasia hopes her brand not only supports children, but also raises awareness about the importance of inclusive clothing design.
As a full-time carer, Kasia had a vision for her business but needed help bringing it to life. She remembered a friend who had worked with Business Gateway in the past and decided to approach them.
Since June 2024, she has worked closely with Business Gateway to develop her idea into a viable business – receiving one-to-one support from Business Gateway adviser Lee Briggs to break down key tasks, prioritise actions and build confidence as she launched her brand.
Kasia has engaged with various Business Gateway workshops, including sessions on marketing, finance and starting a business. With expert guidance, she launched her website and recently accessed Expert Help support to refine her marketing strategy and explore opportunities in international markets.
Kasia McGavigan, founder of Blue Bee Mike said:“Starting Blue Bee Mike has been a deeply personal journey.
“As a full-time carer for my son Michael, I understand how challenging it can be to find clothing that’s both comfortable and practical for children with additional needs. I wanted to create something that genuinely helps families like ours -something designed with love and real-life experience at its heart.
“Business Gateway has given me the support, structure and encouragement I needed to turn my idea into a reality. From helping me work out what steps to take and when, to giving me the confidence to launch my website and start sharing my products, their advice has been invaluable.
“I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved so far and excited about growing the business to support even more families.”
Lee Briggs, Business Gateway adviser said:“Kasia is truly inspiring. She’s humble, focused and incredibly determined, balancing her caring responsibilities with launching a meaningful business from the ground up.
“Her ability to take on advice, stay organised and put everything into practice has been exceptional. Blue Bee Mike is already making a difference, and we’re proud to have supported her on this journey.”
To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit:
Friday 15 August 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day, and commemorates the ending of the Second World War.
The Royal Scots Museum Outreach Team will hold a VJ Day 80 event in the George Washington Browne Room at Central Library.
The Family Research Area will be staffed by Museum research volunteers, National Records Scotland, Scottish Genealogical Society, and Commonwealth War Graves Commission who will have access to • Regimental War Diaries • Regimental Journal, “The Thistle” • Royal Scots World War Two Attestation Books • documents and photographs from the Royal Scots Museum Archive • and much more…
There will also be a small display of Royal Scots-related items and memorabilia and display boards telling the stories of • 2nd Battalion The Royal Scots who at the outbreak of World War Two were serving on Garrison Duty in Hong Kong • the sinking of the Lisbon Maru • 1st Battalion The Royal Scots, who after the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940, were reconstituted at Bradford and were responsible for a stretch of the Yorkshire coastal defences. The Battalion was then sent to India in 1942. • officers and soldiers from the Royal Scots who served with specialist units in the Far East.
You will also be able to view the Museum’s new 12 minute VJ 80th film, which includes interviews with those Royal Scots who served in the Far East and their families.
The Family Research Area will run from 12 to 15 August, from 10am to 4.30pm each day, and is free to attend.
