With a food and beverage plan built around conservation, community, and engagement, early priorities to be delivered by the team will focus on improving quality and consistency across the site, refreshing menus with seasonal produce in collaboration with local suppliers, and embedding a service culture that mirrors the zoo’s educational and conservation values.
Adding to the list of iconic Sodexo Live! client partners across Scotland, including V&A Dundee, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Signet Library and Hampden Park, this collaboration will celebrate and strengthen the zoo’s unique identity, making food and drink an integral part of its story.
Claire Morris, CEO of Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland, said:“Edinburgh Zoo is a world-class visitor attraction, and this partnership gives us the unique opportunity to really transform the catering offering to reflect RZSS’s vision.
“By positioning Edinburgh Zoo as a place of global exploration and education – a living classroom for all – we want to create a sense of culinary adventure and discovery through exciting, diverse global flavours aligned to the animals’ natural habitats.
“We want our food to be more than just a service – we want it to add joy and make visitors’ zoo experience even more immersive and meaningful.”
Ben Supple, RZSS Deputy Chief Executive, said: “We want to provide visitors to Edinburgh Zoo with the very best experience as this will encourage more people to learn about and protect our natural world.
“Catering is an essential part of that and we are looking forward to working in partnership with the Sodexo Live! and Heritage Portfolio team to develop an exceptional offer which celebrates local, high quality and sustainable produce.”
The collaboration represents a truly local partnership, combining extensive Scottish hospitality knowledge with RZSS’s mission to ‘protect, value and love nature.’ Inspired by the zoo’s animals and their habitats, a ‘Feeding Natural Curiosity’ philosophy will be implemented, guiding menu development, emphasising global flavours, from-scratch cooking, zero-waste initiatives, and community partnerships.
Sodexo Live! supports some of the UK’s most iconic music, cultural and sporting events, plus conference centres and airport lounges, by delivering world class hospitality and food services. Producing outstanding catering and event services, it serves some of the most prestigious venues across Britain, delivering amazing experiences that go beyond the remarkable food it creates.
Globally, partners include The Scottish Open, Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, and exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Hard Rock Stadium, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
A raft of new partnerships launched across Scotland’s academic ecosystem means that ‘collaborative innovation is the true winner’, according to an NHS Scotland partner.
Last week, it was announced that the University of Glasgow would be partnering with Glasgow Caledonian University to “enhance the two institutions’ capacity for entrepreneurship, innovation, and commercialisation” through what is being called the ‘Innovation Exchange’.
Earlier this month too, a consortium of seven institutions jointly launched the Shared Academic Knowledge Exchange Services (ShaKEs) initiative, bringing together Queen Margaret University (QMU), Abertay University, the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), Robert Gordon University, The Glasgow School of Art, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Edinburgh College.
Their aim is to “strengthen commercialisation and innovation across Scotland’s modern and smaller universities and the college sector”.
Edinburgh Napier University, Queen Margaret University, and Edinburgh College, College, said they expect the link-up in the capital will be “contributing to Scotland’s economic development, while benefitting our students, communities and industry partners”.
Formal NHS Scotland partner InnoScot Health believes the new partnerships are encouraging steps towards an ever more aligned triple helix of NHS, industry, and academia.
The organisation’s Innovation Commercialisation Manager, Fiona Schaefer said: “We have spoken for some time about the need for key institutions and enterprises to strengthen connections across Scotland for the benefit of all, and we’re now seeing that increasingly happening in academia.
“These are vital relationships that can help to underpin a healthier, more prosperous, and sustainable country. Collaborative support and the pooling of knowledge are essential to achieving that goal, so the forging of closer networks is a pleasing development.
“Scotland’s urgent need for more collaborative innovation is set to the true winner here.”
The Innovation Exchange is a five-year pilot partnership between Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian Universities, supported by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).
Central to the Exchange is the development of a robust pipeline of social and commercial enterprises with a shared commitment to progressive thinking.
The unifying of seven institutions as a result of the ShaKEs initiative will meanwhile allow the sharing of “specialist expertise and professional services to unlock new pathways for research impact, skills development, and economic growth”.
It aims to translate research into real-world impact for health and social care, amongst other sectors, by honing expertise in areas such as intellectual property that are required to commercialise projects.
Echoing those goals, the new partnership between Edinburgh Napier University, Queen Margaret University, and Edinburgh College, will support innovation and entrepreneurship in line with nationwide plans to boost Scotland’s economic development.
The agreement will enhance work towards ambitions laid out in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland Regional Innovation Action Plan and the Scottish Government’s National Innovation Strategy by strengthening entrepreneurial skills and networks.
InnoScot Health previously linked up with Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University on an initiative – labelled a “first of its kind research collaboration” – which saw engineering and nursing students pooling capabilities and know-how to hone breakthrough healthcare ideas.
It is also a partner with Heriot-Watt University and University of Dundee in the Tay Health Tech collaborative programme which aims to break down barriers to healthcare and health inequalities through the development of technological solutions.
Fiona added: “It will be exciting to witness the acceleration of cutting-edge research and innovation which results from these many exciting new academic partnerships, no doubt positively impacting triple helix ambitions.
Dundee Rep Theatre today launches its 2026 season, a celebration of community, world premieres, new voices, classics, and fresh work that invites audiences to connect with the life of the building and far beyond.
To introduce the season, we asked our community participants to make a special film at locations across Dundee, reflecting and solidifying the theatre’s place within the city and inviting audiences to join them in the year ahead.
The season takes flight with the much-anticipated brand-new musical production of The High Life, co-produced by Dundee Rep Theatre and National Theatre of Scotland in association with Aberdeen Performing Arts and Capital Theatres.
After a thirty-year delay in the departure lounge, the full original cast of Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson,Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart reunites for a landmark world premiere directed by Dundee Rep Theatre Artistic Director Andrew Panton. Co-written by Johnny McKnight, Alan Cumming, and Forbes Mason, the production opens in Dundee from 27 March to 4 April before touring Scotland and returns to the Rep 6 to 9 May.
April sees the return of our Rep Stripped Festival, Dundee Rep Theatre’s platform for fresh work, new voices and bold ideas – this time under the creative direction of Fraser Scott.
Built on the success of previous editions, which have included early stagings of No Love Songs and A History of Paper, the festival continues to celebrate creativity, innovation and the future of performance, offering audiences the chance to be the first to discover new work. Call-outs for submissions open in January 2026.
Willy Russell’s award-winning modern classic Educating Rita follows, in a funny, tender and life-affirming new production directed by award-winning director Debbie Hannan. This story of self-discovery, second chances and the power of learning brings together Rita, a spirited hairdresser hungry for change, and Frank, a disillusioned academic who has lost faith in his work and in himself.
First performed in 1980 and later adapted into the acclaimed film starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine, the piece has won multiple BAFTAs and received three Academy Award nominations. This fresh revival promises a heartfelt return to one of Britain’s most loved plays from 23 May to 13 June.
An exciting and original collaboration hits the stage next summer. Dundee Rep Theatre and Solar Bear, in collaboration with Aberdeen Performing Arts and the Traverse Theatre, present The Singer, written by Cora Bissett with Jamie Rea. With songs multi-award-winning KT Tunstall, featuring Deaf artist Jamie Rea and directed by Cora Bissett, The Singer is a thrilling new gig-theatre drama about Joe, a deaf artist who “sings” with his hands, and Andy, a washed-up musician hungry for a comeback. As their unlikely partnership ignites something extraordinary, ambition, betrayal and belonging collide in this powerful story of music, identity and the fight to be heard.
The Singer previews at Dundee Rep Theatre in late July, premieres at the Traverse Theatre during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and plays the Citizens Theatre Studio in Glasgow and the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen before returning to Dundee in September.
Tony Roper’s much-loved Scottish classic The Steamie then returns for a nationwide tour in a new production from Rerr Terr Productions in association with Neil Laidlaw Productions and Dundee Rep Theatre.
From 27 August to 12 September, audiences are invited into a 1950s Glasgow washhouse on Hogmanay where hot water, lively chat, laughter and secrets accompany the final wash of the year.
One of the most anticipated productions of 2026, A History of Paper, by Oliver Emanuel and Gareth Williams (creators of The 306 Trilogy, National Theatre of Scotland),returns in a major new production starring Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson.
This musical about unbounding joy, impossible grief and the small pieces of paper that shape a life first captivated audiences at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe, where it won a Fringe First, the Music Theatre Review Best Musical Award and the CATS Award for Best Director for Dundee Rep Artistic Director Andrew Panton.
This new co-production with Pitlochry Festival Theatre brings back a work that moved audiences and critics alike. The production runs from 8 August to 12 September at Pitlochry Festival Theatre and from 16 to 19 September at Dundee Rep Theatre.
Following the success of The Glass Menagerie, Dundee Rep Theatre will once again collaborate with The Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, and Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, with full details of the Autumn 2026 production to be announced early next year.
The season comes to a glittering finale with a magical new production of Dundee Rep Theatre’s 2018 Christmas hit The Snow Queen, created by Noisemaker, the partnership of award-winning writing duo Claire McKenzie and Scott Gilmour (Oor Wullie, Ceilidh, Scots)and directed by Emily Oulton. This snow-stopping musical celebrating friendship, courage, and festive spirit is set to delight audiences of all ages from November 28 to December 30.
Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre remain committed to making theatre and dance accessible to as many people as possible and are expanding our pricing to offer greater choice, flexibility and affordability in 2026.
New initiatives include £15 tickets for every Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre production and £5 preview tickets for under 30s, designed to welcome and inspire the next generation of theatre-goers, and focusing on the future of the arts here in Dundee and Scotland.
Alongside this, a new free ticket initiative will allocate tickets across the season to individuals and communities with limited access to the arts, ensuring they can experience live performance, feel at home in the building, allowing us to open our doors to even more people.
Scottish Dance Theatre celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, and the full programme will be announced on 20 January.
Complementing Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre’s own work, the venue will present a vibrant programme of visiting companies throughout Spring 2026.
These include ABBA Forever on 7 February, Macbeth from 19 to 21 February, BalletLORENT’s Snow White on 27 and 28 February and the musical satire SCOTS by Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie, directed by Jemima Levick,from 7 to 11 April. The Rep also welcomes What I am Here For on, an immersive multilingual collaboration from Vanishing Point and Teater Katapult, followed by family fun with There is a Monster in Your Show and many more.
This season also marks the arrival of Kath M Mainland CBE as Executive Director, bringing more than two decades of international cultural leadership to Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre.
Mainland joins the organisation after senior roles at Adelaide Festival, RISING Melbourne, Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society. Originally from Orkney, she returns to Scotland to help lead the organisation’s next chapter, marking an exciting moment for the organisation.
This new season is announced at a time when Dundee faces proposed cuts to arts funding, and Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre continue to demonstrate how essential its work is to the cultural, social and economic life of the city.
The Rep provides opportunities for Dundonians of all ages to experience connection, learning and belonging as well as contributing significantly to the well-being of communities across Dundee and playing a key role in Dundee’s tourism and global cultural identity.
As consultation begins, the organisation encourages residents to share their views and to champion the vital role that the Rep and other cultural organisations play in the life and future of their city.
Artistic Director Andrew Pantonsaid: “We are proud to be a creative home for our community and a national stage for new voices, major productions and collaborations.
“Our 2026 season celebrates Dundee, Scotland and beyond and celebrates the people who shape our work. The Rep plays a central role in the cultural life of this city while contributing greatly to the wider Scottish and international cultural landscape, and this programme is a testament to that reach and responsibility.
“As Dundee enters consultation on proposed arts cuts, we are reminded of the importance of protecting the creativity, opportunity and connection that cultural organisations provide.
“I hope audiences across Dundee and Scotland will continue to stand with us, take part in the consultation and help ensure a vibrant future for the arts.”
Local residents and community representatives are warmly invited to Queen Margaret University’s online Community Forum on Tuesday 18 November 2025 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm.
This twice-yearly event offers a unique chance to hear University updates, explore partnership opportunities, and share ideas about how QMU can best serve and collaborate with its surrounding communities.
This autumn’s Forum will take place on Microsoft Teams and will feature a presentation from Ann Turner, Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead in QMU’s Media Communication and Performing Arts Division.
Ann will showcase ways that local organisations can benefit from working with QMU students and share examples of impactful projects delivered in partnership with community groups and businesses.
In particular, she will highlight opportunities for collaboration with undergraduate and postgraduate students in marketing and communications, who can support organisations by:
Developing promotional strategies to reach target audiences;
Designing digital assets such as social media content;
And creating short promotional films or podcasts.
The event will also provide space for open discussion, inviting attendees to share their perspectives on QMU’s role in the community and explore how relationships can be deepened for mutual benefit.
Jane Scott, Director of Marketing and Communications at QMU, said: “The Community Forum is a chance for us to listen as much as we share.
“We want to hear directly from our neighbours, learn about their priorities, and explore how QMU can work alongside the community to make a positive difference in East Lothian and beyond.
“By working together, we can strengthen relationships, support local organisations, create opportunities and ensure that QMU continues to play an active role in the life of our community.”
QMU welcomes both regular participants and new members of the community to join the Forum. To attend, please register by emailing marketing@qmu.ac.uk. A Microsoft Teams link will then be sent to you, giving access to the meeting on the day.
Multrees Walk Edinburgh, Scotland’s leading luxury shopping destination, has announced an exciting new collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), supporting the next generation of fashion talent.
As part of this partnership, Multrees Walk will provide mentorship and sponsorship to second-year fashion students as they embark on their annual commercial project.
This initiative will give students invaluable insight into the world of fashion, from design development to market positioning, supporting the gap between education and commercial practice.
Students will explore and consider sustainability, responsible material choices, understanding customer profiles, and developing strong brand narratives.
Working closely with its retailers, Multrees Walk is uniquely positioned to offer students a wealth of real-world expertise and a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about the creative processes, the commercial routes and the commerce opportunities, all at an international level. Retailers from Multrees Walk including Harvey Nichols and Johnstons of Elgin will be offering student mentorship.
Leigh Aitchison, Centre Manager at Multrees Walk said; “We are delighted to be able to support and mentor the students of Edinburgh College of Art this year. By partnering with our retailers, we are able to share industry insight and tangible experiences that bring the education of fashion to life.
“Together, we will aim to inspire and equip the next generation of fashion designers, buyers and marketeers with the tools they need to navigate in today’s ever-changing fashion landscape.”
Adam Stone, Head of Retail Asset Management UK at Nuveen (landlord of Multrees Walk)said: “Multrees Walk is committed to supporting the fashion industry of the future and our collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art will give students the unique and valuable opportunity to work alongside our wide range of leading global brands and retailers.
“We are proud to be able to help provide this wonderful opportunity and offer this exceptional mentor and sponsor partnership to the students.”
Professor Mal James, Programme Director BA fashion programme Edinburgh College of Art,added: “Partnering with Multrees Walk connects our students to a global network of leading international brands and retailers.
“This collaboration allows us to bring real life industry insight directly into the classroom. It’s a fundamental opportunity for our students to understand not only the creative demands of fashion, but the business side of the industry, too.”
Taking place in Genesis Studio Edinburgh, Multrees Walk, this event will offer the public, industry professionals and the wider creative community the chance to engage with the students and their work.
Edinburgh Napier University, Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh College announce collaboration
A new effort to support innovation and enterprise across the south-east of Scotland has been announced by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU), Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh College, as part of Scotland’s National Innovation Week.
The three institutions have agreed a collaborative partnership with the aim of developing the region’s innovation, enterprise and skills through improved connectivity with academic expertise and support.
The focus of the partnership will be to support innovation and entrepreneurship in line with nationwide plans to boost Scotland’s economic development.
The agreement will enhance work towards ambitions laid out in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland Regional Innovation Action Plan, the Scottish Government’s National Innovation Strategy and its Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint, by strengthening entrepreneurial skills and networks across Scotland.
There will also be increased collaboration around knowledge exchange and innovation projects, which aim to bring academic expertise to businesses and organisations that could benefit from it.
This new agreement follows the recent expansion of ENU’s enterprise hub Bright Red Triangle (BRT), to offer specialist support to Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh College students and alumni. Since its formation in 2005, BRT has supported more than 1,000 start-ups and freelancers from the ENU community from its Start Up Studio in Edinburgh.
Some of the early collaborative work as part of the partnership will include:
Entrepreneurial support to our collective community of over 60,000 students, building on the successful BRT partnership launched in October 2024
Regional upskilling and innovation to support SME and public sector bodies
Delivery against the Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint
Pilot of a Knowledge Exchange Concordat across the partner institutions
Professor Gary Hutchison, Assistant Principal (External Engagement) at Edinburgh Napier University said: “We are delighted to commit to this new partnership between our institutions – building on our shared enterprise services by developing an integrated innovation pathway to support the region’s companies and public sector agencies.
“Edinburgh Napier University has a strong track record of supporting entrepreneurs to take their innovative ideas to the next level.
“This collaboration will build on the expertise of all three institutions, with an overall aim of contributing to Scotland’s economic development, while benefiting our students, communities and industry partners.”
Professor Richard Butt, Deputy Principal of Queen Margaret University, said: “We are delighted to be part of this exciting partnership which will elevate the role of skills development as a pathway to innovation – whether that be through support for student, graduate and staff enterprise or research and knowledge exchange collaborations across our HE and FE colleagues, local businesses and organisations.
“The new partnership also allows us to focus on delivering impact in community wealth building, to support the generation, circulation and retention of wealth in our local economy.
“We look forward to working with our Edinburgh Napier University and Edinburgh College colleagues to enhance our collaborative approaches and improve our economic impact locally, regionally and nationally.”
Mike Jeffrey, Vice Principal Corporate Development at Edinburgh College, said: “This new partnership presents an exciting opportunity for Edinburgh College to strengthen our existing support for entrepreneurship and innovation across our student body, alumni network, and wider industry connections.
“In today’s fast-paced economy, it is essential to equip students with entrepreneurial capabilities alongside technical and vocational expertise.
“r4At Edinburgh College, we work with a broad network of organisations to ensure our students are not only prepared to excel in their chosen professions but are also empowered to become the innovators who will shape the future.
“Through collaborating with our university partners to share knowledge, resource and expertise, we look forward to further embedding a culture of knowledge exchange throughout our college community.”
Outer Spaces is revitalising communities across Scotland by turning vacant commercial properties into vibrant creative hubs.
On Saturday 23rd August, a visit facilitated by the Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) brought Foysol Choudhury MSP to the Edinburgh Art Festival Pavilion at 45 Leith Street, where he met artists from the Project Cube Studio Programme and witnessed the initiative’s impact first-hand.
Since launching in 2021, the Scottish charity Outer Spaces has been transforming unused office buildings into hubs for creativity, collaboration, and the rise of new artistic voices.
To date, it has brought more than 120 vacant properties back to life, providing free studio space for over 900 artists working across disciplines such as painting, installation, and more.
Foysol Choudhury MSP visited to Outer Spaces (EAF Hub 45 Leith Street)
Pic Neil Hanna
07702 246823
The Pavilion also houses HOST, a new six-month residency co-presented by Outer Spaces and the Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF25). HOST gives early-career artists the chance to work in the heart of the city, offering a platform for visibility and growth with support that extends well beyond the festival season.
At a time when rising studio rents and limited opportunities leave many emerging artists struggling to find a place to work, Outer Spaces is breaking down barriers.
Its work supports artists to create and connect, sustains creativity as a vital part of a fair society, and accelerates Scotland’s cultural future by nurturing new voices.
Foysol Choudhury MSP visited to Outer Spaces (EAF Hub 45 Leith Street)
Pic Neil Hanna
07702 246823
Foysol Choudhury MSP said: ““It was inspiring to see so many talented young artists confidently presenting their work. Opportunities like this don’t just happen; they’re made possible because organisations like Outer Spaces and the Scottish Contemporary Art Network open doors, providing free studio space and a platform for artists to create, connect, and thrive.
“Too often, the high cost of studios and the shortage of opportunities mean that emerging artists struggle to find resources to create. That’s why initiatives like this are so important. They give artists the chance to develop their work, build confidence, be part of Scotland’s cultural sector and shape its future.
“My thanks to Outer Spaces and SCAN for the warm welcome and for the brilliant work you do to support creativity in our communities.”
Two charities in Fife were welcomed to Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline to gain fresh ideas and practical support to help develop their logistics and operations.
The event, organised by Pilotlight, brought together Fife Gingerbread and Big House Multibank with the team at Amazon in Dunfermline. Pilotlight is an organisation that connects business experts with charities to help deliver greater social impact.
More than 30 Amazon employees from Dunfermline took part in a day of collaborative problem-solving sessions. The charities shared some of the challenges they’re currently facing and Amazon employees worked in teams to come up with practical, strategic solutions, drawing on their professional skills and experience.
Kirsten Harrower, an Amazon employee who took part in the event, said: “It was an amazing experience to apply our skills in support of two incredible charities that do so much for our community.
“It felt great to be part of something that can make a real difference.”
Jamie Strain, General Manager from Amazon in Dunfermline, added: “We’re proud to support Fife Gingerbread and Big House Multibank and events like this are a great way to use the skills of our team to give back.
“We’re committed to playing a positive role in the communities where we live and work.”
Linsey Proctor, from Fife Gingerbread, said: “We’re grateful to the Amazon team for giving their time and energy and for continuing to strengthen their relationship with us.
“The ideas shared will help us shape our future plans and move forward with confidence.”
Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates.
Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families in need. The Multibank network has now donated more than 8 million surplus goods to over 600,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, Tees Valley and Birmingham.
Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.
Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.
Forever Edinburgh has launched a brand-new Edinburgh: Accessible Highlights Guide in partnership with award-winning Edinburgh-based disabled access charity, Euan’s Guide.
The guide highlights Edinburgh’s leading attractions, experiences and travel tips that provide facilities, products and services for people’s differing accessibility requirements. It supports Forever Edinburgh’s work to promote the city’s kaleidoscope of experiences and offerings as an ideal holiday location for everyone. Forever Edinburgh has worked closely with Euan’s Guide, a leading UK charity that helps disabled people find accessible venues.
The new guidebook reinforces the historical city’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility to allow everyone to enjoy its heritage status. Designed to help disabled visitors enjoy everything the city has to offer, it covers all 11 neighbourhoods of Edinburgh and showcases accessible experiences for all tastes – including Edinburgh’s cultural events and year-round festivals, heritage experiences, museums and galleries, sports and outdoor activities and places to stay, eat and drink.
It also provides essential practical information, such as:
Details on relaxed sessions and dementia-friendly spaces.
Venues with ground-level access and flat floors for wheelchair users.
Location of accessible toilets.
Audio-described shows and sensory-friendly experiences.
Links to full AccessAble Guides for applicable attractions.
Cllr Jane Meagher, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said: “We really want everyone to enjoy our city and to feel safe and included. That’s why I’m pleased to see this joint work with Euan’s Guide, which is a welcome move towards ensuring all visitors can fully experience the joy of our capital.
“The latest estimates indicate 16.1 million people in the UK have a disability, which is around one in four people. We also know that 21.4% of Scots have a long-term illness, disease, or condition. These figures emphasise the importance of accessibility initiatives like this, to ensure inclusivity for all.
“Plus, by enabling those with disabilities to book a stay in Edinburgh more easily and confidently, local businesses will also benefit. Tourism in Scotland by those with an impairment raises a significant £1.69 billion.” *sources: The Department for Work and Pensions’ Family Resources Survey In Scotland; the 2022 Census; VisitScotland.
These figures underscore the importance of accessibility initiatives to ensure inclusivity for all. Additionally, by enabling those with disabilities to book a stay in Edinburgh more easily and confidently, local businesses will reap the financial benefits of a large number of potential visitors.
The National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Antonia Lee-Bapty, CEO of Euan’s Guidesaid: “Our community regularly tells us that they continue to be excluded from everyday activities, like going for a simple cup of coffee with friends, because of poor or non-existent disabled access information.
“Insights from our 2024 Access Survey report that 78% of disabled people don’t feel confident about visiting new places when it comes to accessibility.
“Businesses don’t appreciate the importance of sharing disabled access information and are undervaluing disabled people in terms of both social inclusion and spending power by neglecting their accessible toilets and parking facilities. That’s why we encourage them to list on EuansGuide.com for free to reach tens of thousands of disabled people looking for great places to go.
“Equally, we want to encourage disabled people to review the Edinburgh places they visit on EuansGuide.com and use our website to find first-hand experiences of disabled access across the city.
“We’re delighted to partner with Forever Edinburgh on this guide, which will allow disabled people to find accurate disabled access information for great places to go in Edinburgh, the city we’re proud to call home.”
A lady browses the stalls at Edinburgh’s Christmas Market.
Neil Christison, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “Inclusive tourism is a hugely valuable market and a key part of VisitScotland’s responsible tourism activity.More than that, it is vitally important tourism, and events are accessible and inclusive, so that we can be sure to extend the same warm welcome to all visitors and help them create special memories.
“The latest Scotland Visitor Survey shows that while many visitors with access requirements find it very easy to get around Scotland there are clear areas for improvement. A simple and effective way our industry can engage with disabled customers is providing clear, detailed, and easy to access information, such as this new Edinburgh: Accessible Highlights Guide.”
The new guide forms part of Forever Edinburgh’s wider efforts to promote sustainable tourism and ensure Edinburgh is a truly welcoming destination for all. The Forever Edinburgh team continues to upskill through training courses to strengthen its approach to inclusive destination marketing.
This is the first version of Edinburgh: Accessible Highlights Guide, which will be regularly updated. Forever Edinburgh encourages people to send in any feedback or comments they may have to help shape future updates via an online form (see link below) or via email to visit@edinburgh.gov.uk
Alongside the guidebook, visitors can now filter businesses based on accessibility needs via The Official Guide to Edinburgh website edinburgh.org, which also integrates disability-inclusive content across its blogs, listicles, newsletters, and wider destination marketing resources.
The Collaboration for Health Equity in Scotland launches plans this week to bring about significant change to reduce health inequalities in three of Scotland’s local authority areas.
This collaboration brings together Public Health Scotland (PHS) and Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Director of University College London’s Institute of Health Equity (IHE) with councils and health boards in Aberdeen City, North Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire.
Over the next two years, this partnership will help local areas and Community Planning Partners to strengthen their local plans to reduce health inequalities and improve wellbeing in their communities. It will support local partners to understand the actions which will have the greatest impact on health inequalities locally and help to overcome the barriers to implementing these.
The ultimate goal is to enable people to live longer, healthier lives by addressing the root causes of health inequalities and preventing illness before it starts. By creating conditions where communities can thrive, the initiative aims to create lasting positive change.
A key element of the collaboration is its role in bridging the gap between national policies and local implementation. The insights and learning from the collaboration will be shared across Scotland through a dedicated learning system, ensuring that communities nationwide can benefit from the knowledge gained.
To mark the beginning of the partnerships, each of the three local areas host launch events this week. These events will serve as a platform to engage with the community, share the vision of the collaboration, and kickstart this ambitious project to build a healthier, more equitable Scotland.
Paul Johnston, Chief Executive of PHS, said: “Our mission in Public Health Scotland is to see life expectancy increase and health inequalities reduced. The circumstances in which we are born, live and work have a huge impact on the length and quality of our lives. People born in the most deprived areas are dying, on average, a decade earlier than their wealthier neighbours.
“It’s possible to change this by taking action across the range of factors that impact on health and wellbeing. That is what this new partnership is all about. We’re determined to see an improvement in Scotland’s long-term health outcomes, and we can do this by uniting partners from across the system including the NHS, local government, community and voluntary sectors, and businesses.
“The Collaboration for Health Equity in Scotland will bring together national expertise, informed by the success of ‘Marmot Places’ across England and Wales, with local knowledge to agree priority actions and support meaningful change.
“We’re looking forward to working and learning together with a determined focus to see improvement in health, wellbeing and life expectancy across Scotland.”
Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Director of the IHE said: “Research in Scotland has demonstrated dramatic differences in health and life expectancy within and between areas in Scotland. Progress in improving health stalled after 2010, in Scotland as in other parts of the UK, and health inequalities increased.
“We have been working with places in England and Wales to implement change at local level to improve health and reduce health inequalities. We are inspired by the commitment of communities and local leaders to improve the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.
“We are now delighted to launch programmes of work in three places in Scotland. Each place has vital contributions to make in improving the conditions of people’s lives thereby tackling health inequalities within their area.
“This local action will also inform national system leaders about the most effective ways to develop national approaches to tackling health inequalities in Scotland. Put simply, we aim to show that poverty is not destiny.”
