Do you know the Best Cocktail Bar in Edinburgh or perhaps an amazing Dog Friendly Pub that treats your pooch like a princess? If so, why not get voting for them in this year’s Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2024?
Last year the standard of entrants was at an all-time high and Edinburgh knocked it out of the park with winners including Hey Palu who won Cocktail Bar of the Year, Black Ivy who were voted Best Outside Area and Colin Hinds of the Tipsy Midgie who took home both Whisky Bar of the Year and the Whisky Guru gongs!
So, this year organisers can’t wait to hear about your Edinburgh favourites!
Voting has just opened, and the organisers are looking for a host of fine establishments including new bars on the block, the best whisky bars for a dram, Irish bars with all the craic and even stunning outside areas!
In fact, they want to hear about all about bars that are the talk of the town, the legendary locals and even the magnificent mixologists across the country!
It’s not just all about pubs though. They also want to know about the real characters that make the licensed trade shine in Scotland such as whisky gurus, up and coming entrepreneurs and the bar managers that are taking the industry by storm.
Schweppes are even looking for a ‘Bartender of the Year’ – someone who stands out from the crowd and goes that extra mile for their customers. Bobby the Barman need not apply!
They have to be in it to win it, and you can give them that chance!
This is the 29th year for Scotland’s longest running licensed trade awards and judges will be travelling the length and breadth of Scotland on mystery visits. So, if you know somewhere or someone that deserves a big pat on the back, it’s time to get voting for them!
Voting is easy, just go to www.scottishbarandpubawards.com/awards/ and you can vote in as many different categories as you like. Voting closes on the 16th of June, finalists will be announced shortly after, and the winners will be crowned at the glittering award ceremony in Glasgow on the 27th of August.
You can also find a full list of all categories here including Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year, Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of The Year, Cold Town Craft Beer Bar of The Year, Jameson Best Irish Bar, Kopparberg New Bar of the Year, Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year, Sims Automatics Sports Bar of The Year and the Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality.
Deadline for Nominations – 16th June 2024
For a full list of this years categories and to vote please go to:
Do you know a councillor whose unwavering dedication deserves national recognition? Nominations are now open for the 2024 Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA Cllr Awards – the only ceremony that celebrates the outstanding contributions of councillors across England, Wales, and Scotland.
The Cllr Awards shine a light on the achievements of local elected representatives who have made a tangible impact in their communities. Winners in England & Wales will be announced at the illustrious Guildhall in London while winners in Scotland will be revealed at the esteemed City Chambers in Edinburgh this winter.
The 2024 Cllr Awards feature five categories: Community Champion, Leader of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, Innovator of the Year and Lifetime Legend.
Nominations are open to anyone – whether you’re a member of the public, a fellow councillor, or a council officer – who wishes to acknowledge a councillor’s exceptional commitment to improving their community and achieving remarkable results over the past year.
Submitting a nomination is free and takes just seven minutes. Applicants must provide details about the nominated councillor, outlining why they deserve recognition and how their initiatives have positively impacted the community.
Nominations close on Friday 13 September 2024, and the shortlisted candidates will be announced in the autumn.
Once again this year, the awards will also shine a spotlight on the remarkable contributions of councillors from around the world through the Global Local Cllr Showcase. This special presentation celebrates councillors worldwide whose projects, engagement, and representation have made a significant difference in the communities they serve.
Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU, said: “The LGIU is proud to once again host the annual Cllr Awards, paying tribute to our locally elected representatives and sharing examples of the innovation and dedication our councillors demonstrate day in day out.
“Local communities rely on councillors, whose positive contributions impact our daily lives in many ways, from maintaining streets to funding community projects, shaping the character of our towns.
“Often working tirelessly behind the scenes, elected members frequently go unnoticed by many, making the Cllr Awards essential in highlighting their invaluable work in 2024.
“We eagerly anticipate a wave of nominations this year and look forward to hearing the remarkable stories behind them. These awards are made possible through the generous support of founding partners, CCLA.”
Scottish businesses championing sustainability are in the spotlight as entries open for the 2024 VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.
Now in their 25th year, the VIBES awards encourage businesses to show vision and leadership in tackling climate change and other environmental challenges. They also aim to enhance environmental performance and showcase those supporting the wider social and economic benefits of sustainability.
The opening of the competition was marked at the Scottish Parliament last night (Wednesday 28th February 2024), where the outstanding achievements of last year’s winners were applauded by attendees including industry leaders and MSPs. An address was also given by Mairi McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero, and Energy.
Previous winners showcased included ReBlade, a Glasgow and Dumfries based company demonstrating how turbine blades can be dealt with responsibly. Through research and evidence, ReBlade prove that wind energy generation waste can be repurposed, confirming economic viability in decommissioning windfarms sustainably.
Fiona Lindsay, Managing Director at ReBlade said: “Businesses and organisations are increasingly being asked to demonstrate positive environmental impact, and rightly so.
“The way we do business has a huge impact on the world around us, and it makes good business sense to interrogate processes and operations to minimise environmental and climate impacts. For ReBlade taking part in the VIBES awards has been a wholly positive experience and I’d definitely encourage other businesses to consider applying.”
The VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards are a partnership between multiple organisations including the SEPA, the Scottish Government, Energy Saving Trust, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, NatureScot, Scottish Water, and Zero Waste Scotland. VIBES is also supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses, Scotch Whisky Association, Bright Green Business and Prosper.
Nicole Paterson, Chief Executive of SEPA, added: “As Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, we innovate, collaborate and drive collective action to help build a stronger, fairer and more sustainable nation.
“It is truly inspiring to see the achievements of these businesses towards a sustainable future. Their commitment is not only commendable but serves as a beacon for others in the business community to embrace environmentally responsible and innovative practices.
“We know there are many more businesses on the frontline of the net zero transition, continually demonstrating their unwavering commitment. The VIBES awards prove their efforts matter, and I would strongly urge as many of them as possible to enter this year and receive the recognition they deserve.”
Categories open for entries this year include the Vision in Business Scotland Award for companies that clearly set out their strategy, policies, and systems that enable continuous sustainability improvements and contribute to Scotland’s net zero carbon ambition.
Judging will take place over the summer, with a shortlist confirmed in September and the winners revealed at a ceremony in November.
Communities and organisations are being invited to submit their proposals to become Scotland’s next National Park.
A key commitment in the Bute House Agreement is to designate at least one new National Park in Scotland by 2026, to bring positive benefits for the environment and economy.
For the first time, nominations for a new Park will be driven entirely by local communities and organisations, and all areas of Scotland are eligible to submit proposals. To meet the criteria, groups must be able to demonstrate, among other factors:
outstanding national importance due to natural or culture heritage
a distinctive character and coherent identity
how National Park status would meet the specific needs of the area
evidence of local support for the proposal
Detailed guidance has been published, and support will be available for any group looking to explore or take forward a proposal. The deadline for submissions is 29 February 2024.
Visiting Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater commented: “Scotland’s National Parks are among our greatest assets.
“They are home to internationally renowned landscapes and nature, and provide outstanding opportunities for recreation and local communities. – They also play a crucial role in tackling climate change and protecting our precious natural environment for future generations.
“Now is the time to add to them. We believe that a new National Park should be founded upon local community demand, which is why we are launching this unique nominations process.
“In May we invited early expressions of interest and we have already had a really positive response from communities and organisations across the length and breadth of the country. This is not at all surprising given just how much Scotland has to offer.
“I encourage everyone that is considering putting forward a proposal to read the guidance that we have published on the Scottish Government website, and get in touch to find out about the support available.”
Convener at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority Dr Heather Reid said: “It is clear that more than ever we need our National Parks to lead the way in showing what a more sustainable future could look like.
“Biodiversity is declining faster than at any time in human history and together with the climate emergency, these twin crises are already having an impact on the country our children and grandchildren will inherit.
“The people, communities and natural assets of Scotland’s National Parks – existing and future – can contribute significantly to Scotland’s efforts to restore nature, tackle climate change and have greener economic growth.”
Cairngorms National Park Authority Board Convener Sandy Bremner said: “This is a great opportunity for communities in Scotland to join the family of National Parks to tackle some of the biggest challenges around nature loss, climate change & community development.
“National Park status can bring enormous benefits to a region. It offers a heightened focus on the protection and enhancement of the area’s natural and cultural heritage. It can attract vital support to hard-pressed communities, and bring people together to achieve inspirational change.”
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives with reading and writing, has opened nominations for the Bookbug Hero Award 2024, run in association with Walker Books.
Now in its fifth year, the award seeks to honour those who make a real difference to the lives of the young children, families and communities they work with.
People across Scotland can nominate a librarian, early years worker, volunteer, health visitor, or anyone who uses Bookbug in their work for the award. The winner will be celebrated with a short film made about their work, a special trophy and a bundle of picture books worth £500.
Bookbug, delivered by Scottish Book Trust, is the biggest nationwide universal book gifting programme in the world, through which every child in Scotland receives four free book bags between their birth and first year of school.
Around 375 Bookbug Sessions take place each week in libraries and community spaces across Scotland, and Bookbug for the Home practitioners support families on a one-to-one basis.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Bookbug reaches children all over Scotland, providing vital access to books. Without the work of Bookbug practitioners, many families would not discover the fun and lifechanging benefits of sharing stories, songs and rhymes.
“It is fantastic to be able to recognise this important work through the Bookbug Hero Award, for the fifth time. Our thanks to Walker Books for their continued support in recognising these heroes.”
The team at Walker Books added: ‘We really appreciate all that Bookbug and the heroes who run the programmes do for communities, and we are really pleased that we can continue to show our appreciation and support of that work by sponsoring the award.
“We love that it shines a light on those practitioners who champion reading, and work tirelessly to change lives through stories and can’t wait to hear more about the next winner!’
The Capital is once again searching for a worthy recipient of the coveted Edinburgh Award, with nominations for the 2023 now open.
To broaden the range of nominees it has been agreed to widen the eligibility criteria to include people who have ‘a substantial association with Edinburgh’. The update was approved at last Thursday’s meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council.
Previously, some nominations received have been excluded due to an individual not having been born or lived in Edinburgh. Consequently, the Edinburgh Award Panel agreed unanimously to reflect this by adding in ‘substantial association with Edinburgh’ and the panel is particularly keen to welcome nominations which reflect the diversity of the city.
Since 2007, the Edinburgh Award has celebrated an individual who has made a truly unique contribution to the city. With the new criteria it means that someone can now be nominated – whether or not they were born or lived in Edinburgh – if they have gained national and international recognition for Scotland’s Capital through their work.
The 2022 recipient was Sir Geoff Palmer, in recognition of his ground-breaking contributions to academia, his indefatigable defence of human rights in Edinburgh and beyond, and most recently his work heading up the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Group. Sir Geoff was presented with an engraved Loving Cup from the Lord Provost and had his handprints set in stone at the City Chambers quadrangle.
Edinburgh has four weeks to cast nominations for this year’s award, before a recipient is selected by a panel chaired by the Lord Provost.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, has urged individuals and businesses in the Capital to nominate someone for the Award:
“I am delighted that common sense has prevailed and someone who clearly has a substantial association to Edinburgh will be eligible to receive the Edinburgh Award.
“Edinburgh has been a global force in many fields, for over two centuries and this is down to the character, achievement, and excellence of our citizens. The Edinburgh Award represents an opportunity to celebrate exceptional individuals who make Edinburgh the fantastic city we see today and have enhanced the city’s reputation nationally and internationally.
“By nominating someone you can help us showcase these people and give that person the recognition and praise they deserve.
“From outstanding individual feats to the work of community groups, as Lord Provost I am consistently inspired by the ways in which the citizens of Edinburgh calmly persevere and look out for one another. This speaks to the very heart of our capital city and is a source of huge personal pride. If this reminds you of someone, I urge you to put forward a nomination.
“Edinburgh, its reputation, and its enduring global appeal is down to its people. Now looking for its 17th recipient, The Edinburgh Award needs the help of our communities, citizens and businesses to come together and find a worthy winner.”
Nominations are now open and close at 5pm on October 2, 2023.
BBC Scotland is seeking nominations for ‘Scotland’s People 2023’ with Jackie Bird.
Do you know an incredible person who’s gone that extra mile to help others? Someone who has an inspirational story of kindness and caring? An unsung hero who deserves recognition and thanks for the amazing work they do?
Then please get in touch now to nominate them for Scotland’s People 2023.
Nominations open for Scotland Loves Local Awards to recognise those whose dedication and innovation is making life better and shaping a stronger future
People in Edinburgh and across the Lothians are being urged to celebrate the remarkable work to make the region a better place to live in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Nominations have opened for the 2023 Scotland Loves Local Awards, which will see heroics on the high street rewarded, along with responses to the climate crisis.
Artistic flair, work to create new town centre homes, encourage enterprise, make streets more attractive and digital innovation will also be recognised.
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the awards celebrate all that’s great about local towns and neighbourhoods and tireless work taking place to secure a stronger future in them.
Among the winners last year was SOLE (Supporting Our Local Community) which took the Digital Towns category.
Scotland Loves Local Awards 2022, organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership. The Digital Award was won by SOLE / Scottish Tech Army. Pictured at the awards are the Scottish Tech Army’s Kirsty McIntosh and Alistair Forbes. Wednesday November 16th 2022. Picture: Jamie Simpson / Scotland’s Towns Partnership
Led by social enterprise Scottish Tech Army, the place-based app and website had provided a platform for local businesses to trade online, supporting enterprises in Dunbar and East Linton, Fa’side, Haddington, Musselburgh, North Berwick and Preston/Seton/Gosford.
Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Interim Chief Officer, said: “In many ways, the challenges facing our communities have never been greater as we face up to the climate emergency, cost of living and the legacy of coronavirus.
“But many people and organisations in Edinburgh and across the Lothians are stepping up to those challenges. In so many ways, this has brought out the best in our people and places.
“It’s unleashed a desire to make a difference, to create a new future – one which has localism at its heart, with better places in which to live and work.
“The Scotland Loves Local Awards are a chance to shine a spotlight on all of this and so much more.
“To do that, we need you to tell us about the inspiring people and projects whose dedication and innovation is making a real difference in your community.”
The award categories are:
High Street Hero (an individual or organisation making an exceptional difference in their community)
Place Leader Award
Climate and Netzero
Creative Town
Streets and Spaces
Digital Town
Town Centre Living
Enterprising Community
Spearheaded by Scottish Towns Partnership and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local. This is the third year in which the awards have been held.
Nominations can be made at www.lovelocal.scot/awards, where full category criteria can also be found. There, you can briefly share the details of your nominee and why you would like to see them recognised.
The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Monday, September 4th 2023. Winners will be announced at a celebration being held in November.
Residents in Scotlandcan nominate a good cause to receive £1,000 as part of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.
Now in its fifth year, the Movement for Good Awards will once again see more than £1million gifted to charities up and down the UK and Ireland.
Since the awards began, people in Scotland have submitted over 141,400 nominations and 179 Scottish based charities have benefited from valuable donations.
While the pandemic and the current economic climate has had an adverse effect on cash donations, the amount of people choosing to volunteer their time for a good cause is rising.
Scottish residents can now give a minute to nominate a charity online at www.movementforgood.com.
The Movement for Goods Awards has gifted over £4million to charities in the UK and Ireland since the initiative started.
Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. 150 winning charities will be announced from 1 June, with a further 150 revealed in September. Further gifts will be awarded throughout the year.
Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive at Benefact Group, says: “We are immensely proud to be supporting many hundreds of charities through our Movement for Good Awards for the fifth year running.
“We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference so we’re asking that people give a minute of their time to nominate a cause they care about to receive an award.
“Owned by a charity ourselves, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do and all of our available profits go to good causes. With financial strain continuing to impact many households the Movement for Good Awards represents a great way for people to continue to support causes close to their hearts, without worrying about an additional cost.
“Any charity can win no matter how large or small and even with just one nomination. So find a minute, jump online and nominate – because that small amount of time is invaluable for charities.”
Benefact Group has donated almost £200million to charitable causes since 2014 and has just been recognised as the third biggest corporate giver in the UK2. The organisation aims to reach £250million in donations by 2025.
Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.
Last year’s WellChild Award winner Nurse Evelyn Rodger from Edinburgh has joined national children’s charity, WellChild, in the call for nominations for the 2023 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK.
This prestigious annual event celebrates the inspirational qualities of the UK’s seriously ill children and young people and the dedication of those who go that extra mile to make a real difference to their lives.
Last year’s event saw Evelyn, who retired in September as a Diana Children’s Nurse with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, attending a star-studded Awards event at the Hurlingham Club in London where she had the chance to chat with many of the celebrity guests and WellChild supporters.
Evelyn was picked from 100s of nominations from across the UK to win the Nurse Awards category.
Evelyn has been a Diana Children’s Nurse (DCN) with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland for the past eight years, having joined the charity in 2014. In her role Evelyn is based in the neonatal Unit in Simpsons in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but she also covers five neonatal units across Southeast of Scotland and Tayside.
In addition to her nursing Evelyn supports and delivers training for NHS Lothian and CHAS staff, developing an environment of close working not only with the hospital and community teams, but with the CHAS hospice, at home and family support teams. Evelyn’s dedication and her collaborative approach creates a seamless service to families.
Evelyn was instrumental in a pioneering memory making project called ‘Joes Toes’ which has raised over £15,000 since 2018 to allow CHAS and neonatal units to purchase the materials required to make 3D baby hand and foot-casts, respectfully done in baby Joe’s name.
Joe was one of twins who was sadly stillborn as a result of twin to twin transfusion syndrome. Part of Evelyn’s role as Diana Nurse is to provide bereavement support and to help parents find ways to create precious lasting memories with their babies, a role which she feels very passionate about.
WellChild is now calling on people in the region to put forward their nominations for the 2023 WellChild Awards.
“I had such a fantastic day at the WellChild Awards in London” said Evelyn. “It was such a great experience for us all to be involved in and something we will never forget. It would be terrific for a child or another professional from our region to be a winner.”
Guests at the 2022 Awards, in association with global healthcare company GSK, included Leigh-Anne Pinnock from Little Mix, Frankie Bridge from the Saturdays, TV presenters Dick and Dom, Gaby Roslin who presented the event, and many more.
WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James said: “There are more children and young people than ever before in the UK living with long-term, serious health needs. The pandemic placed these children and families under more pressure than many of us can comprehend.
“The WellChild Awards 2023 will be a unique opportunity to recognise and highlight the immense challenges they continue to face and celebrate the remarkable positivity, resilience and spirit they have demonstrated. It will also help us to shine a light on the dedication of those around them, from siblings and professionals who have gone above and beyond to help them through such challenging times.”
If you know someone who deserves special recognition then nominate them for a WellChild Award by visiting our website at www.wellchild.org.uk/awards.
The closing date for entries is Monday March 20th.
There are more children and young people than ever before in the UK living with serious health needs. The WellChild Awards is a unique opportunity to honour the spirit of these children, young people and the dedication of those that care for them.
Entries for the 2023 Awards will be judged by an expert panel including former winners and child health professionals. Awards will be handed out at this year’s glamorous event in London in 2023.
Categories for nominations are as follows:
Inspirational Child or Young Person – A child or young person between the ages of four and eighteen who has kept smiling and defied the odds despite living with a long-term serious health condition.
Caring Child or Young Person – A child or young person between the ages of six and eighteen who devotes much of their time and energy freely and lovingly to help and care for a friend or sibling who is living with a serious health condition.
Nurse – A children’s nurse who goes the extra mile for children and young people with serious health needs.
Doctor – A doctor working with children and young people who goes the extra mile for the children and young people in their care.
Outstanding Professional Award – A professional who has worked above and beyond for children and young people living with serious health needs.
Inspirational Parent Carer A parent carer who has gone above and beyond the care they provide for their child(ren) living with serious health needs and/or has contributed to improving support for families, or awareness of the challenges they face.
