Tag: partnership

The Real Mary King’s Close and The Lost Close partner for new “Above & Below Edinburgh” experience

The Real Mary King’s Close and The Lost Close have announced a new collaborative tour experience, Above & Below, launching this February.

Running from Friday 13 February to Sunday 22 February, Above & Below brings together two independently guided experiences to offer guests a richer understanding of Edinburgh’s layered history, both beneath the Royal Mile and above the Old Town.

The experience begins with a 1-hour guided tour at The Real Mary King’s Close, where guests descend into preserved 17th-century streets and hear the real stories of the people who lived, worked and survived there.

Following a short break, guests then continue their journey above ground on a guided Old Town walking tour led by one of The Lost Close’s expert guides, concluding with time spent exploring The Lost Close itself, a series of hidden underground vaults rediscovered in 2019 located directly opposite The Real Mary King’s Close.

The collaboration builds on the success of the two visitor attractions’ ongoing joint experience, Closes & Coffee, which has been running for more than 7 months and has been warmly received by guests.

Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “We are incredibly proud to be partnering once again with The Lost Close. Supporting small, locally owned businesses is something we genuinely value, and this collaboration is a great example of how working together can create something special for visitors.

“After more than 7 months of successfully running our joint Closes & Coffee experience, we have been really pleased with the outcome, and Above & Below  feels like a natural next step in that partnership.”

Katie Scott, Head of Experiences & Events at The Lost Close added: “Working with The Real Mary King’s Close has been a hugely positive experience for us. Closes & Coffee showed just how powerful collaboration can be when two organisations with shared values and a passion for Edinburgh’s history come together. 

“Above & Below allows us to build on that success, connecting underground spaces with the streets above and offering guests a more complete and meaningful way to experience the Old Town.”

Priced at £40.00 per person, Above & Below is available for a limited time only during February half-term, with advance booking recommended – 

https://thelostclose.com/above-and-below-edinburgh 

Strengthening the third sector

A partnership to boost outcomes and better support communities

The Scottish Government will develop an agreement with the third sector to strengthen its voice and improve lives, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said.  

The Third Sector Partnership will be co-designed with the sector, guided by some of the key principles in the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation’s 2026 manifesto, to set out how both can work together to enhance services.  

This includes: 

  • protecting the sector’s future and independence with fairer funding
  • a focus on shared goals to improve outcomes for people and communities
  • providing greater opportunity to contribute to policy and service design 

Ms Somerville said: “Scotland’s third sector is essential to the wellbeing of our communities. From local charities supporting vulnerable families to national organisations tackling poverty and inequality, they reach people and places that government cannot reach alone. 

“This partnership will put our relationship with the third sector on a clear, principled footing, strengthening their voice and improving lives. It builds on our commitment to fairer funding and signals that we value the sector as an essential delivery partner and as an independent, strong voice that provides support for people across the country every single day.” 

The Scottish Government intends to work with partner organisations and the wider third sector to develop and refine the agreement in the next Scottish Parliament, subject to the outcome of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election. 

This is in addition to delivering a Fairer Funding pilot that provides multi-year funding worth more than £130 million over 2025-2027, prioritising organisations that deliver frontline services and tackle child poverty.

Welcoming the Scottish Government’s commitment to a “Third Sector Partnership”, Anna Fowlie, SCVO Chief Executive, said: “Voluntary organisations are at the heart of Scotland’s response to the biggest challenges we face. They make our communities better places to live. Too often, however, public bodies overlook the voluntary sector in planning, decision-making and delivery. That must change.   

“To ensure that our sector is properly recognised as an essential partner, we need the right infrastructure in place – to support genuine partnership working between the voluntary and public sectors. Our manifesto sets out why a formalised relationship, set in law, would help achieve this. We welcome all commitments that move Scotland closer to achieving that goal and will engage constructively with their development. 

“It is essential that any future scheme is properly resourced, and co-designed with the voluntary sector, so that it reflects, from the start, the experience, evidence and needs of Scotland’s essential sector.” 

SCVO’s 2026 Scottish Parliament election manifesto, Scotland’s Essential Sector, is available here: https://scvo.scot/about/manifesto-2026

The draft Scottish Budget 2026-2027 commits a dedicated £20 million fund for third sector partners to deliver support that people need in their communities. 

The Gathering is organised by SCVO and runs on 10 and 11 February 2026.  

A Fairer Funding pilot to deliver on the Scottish Government’s top priority of eradicating child poverty. The Pilot commenced in April 2025 and consists of 51 separate grants, totalling over £130m over 2025-26 and 2026-27 to organisations across Scotland. 

Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership

Two of Scotland’s most dynamic festivals are joining forces to create ambitious new work at the intersection of literature and music.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections have announced a multi‑year partnership spanning 2025–2027, featuring a series of original commissions designed to celebrate Scottish creativity, reach new audiences, create new opportunities for Scottish artists, and reimagine what is possible when art forms meet in unexpected ways.

Headline Commission: Scotland and India   

A major highlight of this partnership will be the world premiere of The Golden Road at Celtic Connections 2026, a unique collaboration inspired by William Dalrymple’s award-winning book.

Following its debut in Glasgow, The Golden Road will evolve and return in an expanded form for a landmark performance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August 2026.

This journey from Celtic Connections to the Book Festival will see the project grow and develop, offering audiences a fresh and ambitious reimagining of the work at each stage.

Dalrymple will appear at the Citizens Theatre on 31 January alongside India Alba, a collective of Indian and Scottish musicians whose fusion of Indian classical and Scottish traditional backgrounds has created a unique exploration of world culture. Their debut album Reels and Ragas (2009) and follow‑up High Beyond (recorded in the Himalayas) revealed striking resonances between raga gats and Highland melodies, with the drone sounds of bagpipes and tampura forming a shared musical language.

For Celtic Connections 2026, India Alba will be joined by renowned cellist Su‑a Lee, guitarists Ali Hutton and Graeme Stephen, and further guests to be announced.

  • Sharat Chandra Srivastava (violin) brings over 35 years of performance experience, rooted in the Senia Gharana tradition and enriched by collaborations with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia.
  • Gyan Singh (tabla) is an accomplished Hindustani classical musician, trained under Ustad Abdullah Khan, Ustad Faiyaz Khan and Pt. Suresh Talwarkar.
  • Ross Ainslie, described by The Scotsman as “Scotland’s most sought‑after piper,” is a prolific composer and collaborator, performing with Treacherous Orchestra, Salsa Celtica and India Alba.

The Golden Road 7.30PM, Sat 31 Jan Citizens Theatre Tickets: https://www.celticconnections.com/event/1/india-alba-special-guests-with-william-dalrymple-the-golden-road/ 

Rhymes and Reels 

Alongside the headline commission, audiences can enjoy Rhymes and Reels on 27 January at the Mackintosh Church in Glasgow. This special performance will revive two EIBF‑commissioned works and premiere a new Celtic Connections collaboration.

Harpist Esther Swift presents her musical settings of Jackie Kay’s poetry, with Kay herself reading from The Heartstrings of Poetry, commissioned by EIBF and first premiered at the 2025 festival.

Another EIBF commission, award‑winning poet and novelist Angus Peter Campbell appears with his daughter Brìghde Chaimbeul, blending readings in English and Gaelic with accompaniment from small pipes.

Former National Poet of Scotland Liz Lochhead collaborates with renowned Highland fiddler Duncan Chisholm in a brand‑new Celtic Connections commission.

Rhymes and Reels 7.30PM, Tue 27 Jan Mackintosh Church Tickets: https://www.celticconnections.com/event/2/rhymes-reels/ 

Jenny Niven, Director, Edinburgh International Book Festival: “We’re delighted to embark on this multi‑year partnership with Celtic Connections, uniting two of Scotland’s most dynamic festivals in a celebration of creativity and collaboration.

“This new era for the Book Festival is about opening doors—bringing together writers, musicians, and audiences in ways that spark new ideas and reach further into our communities.

“Our recent Thistle Award win is a testament to the power of innovation and partnership, and we look forward to building on that momentum as we explore the rich intersections of Scottish literature and music together.”

Donald Shaw, Creative Producer, Celtic Connections:  “Celtic Connections has always been about forging new paths and bringing artists together across genres and traditions.

“We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, allowing us to celebrate the stories, sounds, and voices that make Scotland’s cultural scene so vibrant.

“By working together, we’re creating space for ambitious new work and for audiences to experience the magic that happens when music and words meet on equal terms.”

Campaign to address barriers preventing Edinburgh residents getting cancer symptoms checked

People in Edinburgh concerned that they have cancer symptoms are being urged to seek information and support while they shop.

This comes as Tesco and Cancer Research UK are working together to raise awareness in Edinburgh of possible symptoms of cancer, break down barriers people may face to speaking to healthcare professionals, and help customers feel more confident when communicating with their doctor.

A new survey by the charity and YouGov shows that there are a number of barriers that make people in the region delay or put off having potential cancer symptoms checked*.

The top four in Scotland are :–

  • thinking it will be difficult to get an appointment 48%;
  • finding it difficult to get an appointment 41%;
  • thinking symptom was unlikely to be anything serious 43%; and
  • deciding that symptom(s) could be managed by themselves 42%.

To break down these barriers, Cancer Research UK has created a health campaign with Tesco, running until 30 November, to highlight the importance of early diagnosis of cancer, and support customers to seek help if they’ve noticed something unusual for them.

If someone notices something that is unusual for them, they can have an initial conversation with a pharmacist at the Edinburgh Superstore in a convenient, private setting, and receive guidance on taking the next steps and booking a GP appointment if needed.

Tesco pharmacists have received specialist training from Cancer Research UK to provide support on possible signs and symptoms of cancer.

Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “Nearly one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime. Spotting cancer early can make all the difference, so it’s incredibly important that people get the support they need when they notice something that’s not right for them.

“That’s why we’ve joined forces with Tesco, to make it easier for people to talk to a professional about any concerns, and ultimately, to help diagnose cancers earlier and save lives.”

Tom Lye, Tesco Health and Wellness Category Director, said: “We know how many barriers there can be in day-to-day life around getting health concerns checked out. Customers can quickly and easily see a pharmacist at one of our Tesco Pharmacies. 

“Informed by their specialist Cancer Research UK training, pharmacists can have a confidential conversation about any worrying symptoms which could support customers in getting an earlier cancer diagnosis.”

Data from Cancer Research UK highlights why spotting cancer early is so important. Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK – but about 9 in 10 people in England will survive the disease for five years or more if they are diagnosed at the earliest stage, compared to around 1 in 10 at the latest stage.

Across England, just over half of cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage (55.3%), but this varies by region due to a number of factors such as some areas having higher numbers of cases of cancer types that can be harder to spot early, like lung cancer.

Tesco pharmacists are available all year round, supporting anyone experiencing symptoms so that they can discuss what steps to take next.

LifeCare and Lannan celebrate sweet success and a growing partnership following sold-out event

LifeCare Edinburgh’s Sweet Partnership Afternoon Tea with Lannan proved a resounding success, raising nearly £3,000 to support LifeCare’s lifeline community services for older people across the city.

Hosted in LifeCare’s welcoming Hub on Cheyne Street, the sold-out event treated guests to a truly memorable afternoon of exquisite Lannan cakes, community connection, and live piano music – all in aid of LifeCare’s mission to deliver care, connection, and companionship to older people across Edinburgh.

Following the success of this first collaboration, LifeCare and Lannan are delighted to announce that their Sweet Partnership will continue, with two Afternoon Teas planned for 2026.

To make the festive season even sweeter, Lannan will also be donating their beautifully made traditional trifles for LifeCare’s Community Christmas Lunches – a delicious gesture that’s sure to spread joy across Edinburgh this December.

Darcie Maher of Lannan, said: “It’s been such a pleasure to partner with LifeCare. This was our first event of its kind, and we couldn’t have chosen a better partner.

“We’ve had the privilege of seeing and hearing about the incredible work they do firsthand, and we’re so pleased to have been able to contribute. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to make a difference, one slice at a time!”

Claire Montgomery, LifeCare’s Fundraising Manager, added: “We’re over the moon with the success of this first Sweet Partnership Afternoon Tea with Lannan.

“The generosity of everyone involved – from our guests and volunteers to the wonderful team at Lannan – has helped raise essential funds and awareness for our work. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back next year for not one, but two, tasty events – and book now for those Christmas trifles!”

Tickets for LifeCare’s upcoming Community Christmas Lunches on the 9th, 10th, 18th and 19th of December are now available – but spaces are limited, so book early while you still can!

£18 pp including a donation towards spreading Christmas Cheer. 

Call 0131 343 0940, email enquiries@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk or visit the LifeCare hub on Cheyne Street to book.

Loganair marks four-year partnership with CHAS with aircraft naming

Loganair has marked the fourth anniversary of its partnership with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) by naming one of its aircraft in honour of the charity.

The aircraft will carry the charity’s name across the airline’s network, helping raise awareness of its work among passengers and communities across the UK.

“Spirit of CHAS” was formally adopted as the name of the new ATR72-500 plane.

The partnership has developed into a long-term collaboration between the airline and the charity, combining financial support with practical assistance. As part of this, Loganair provides flights for CHAS at Home nurses, enabling them to reach families in island and remote communities where specialist care is often more difficult to access.

Loganair also operate the famous CHAS flight, which this year took place at Glasgow Airport. Seven children and their families went on a sightseeing route along Scotland’s west coast, offering a safe space for families to enjoy air travel and see the incredible sights.

The day included character visits from Snow White, Rapunzel, Spiderman and Batman, who helped make the experience especially memorable for those taking part.

The CHAS flight has become a regular fixture in Loganair’s calendar, having previously taken place from Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports.

Since forming the partnership in 2021, Loganair has raised over £85,000 for CHAS through staff fundraising activities and customer donations on the airline’s website.

Luke Farajallah, chief executive officer at Loganair, said: “CHAS provides an invaluable service to families across Scotland, and we are pleased to continue supporting the charity through both fundraising and practical assistance.

“The naming of one of our aircraft reflects the importance of our partnership and our commitment to helping CHAS continue its work. Our hope is that ‘Spirit of CHAS’ will inspire others to support and promote the amazing work of the charity.

“Our customers’ generosity through the £2 donation scheme has been remarkable, and we’re very proud that their contributions are helping CHAS reach more families who rely on its care and support.”

Rami Okasha, chief executive officer at CHAS, said: “Witnessing the ‘Spirit of CHAS’ plane launch was a delight. We are proud to celebrate four years of our partnership with Loganair and would like to thank them for all their support.

“This important partnership means, we can bring smiles, comfort, and precious memories to children who may die young and their families, at every step on this hardest of journeys.

“Loganair’s special support to CHAS families includes free flights for staff to reach families on Scottish islands who use our CHAS at Home service. CHAS is there for children and families in every part of Scotland, no matter where they live.

“Through customer donations at checkout, Loganair has raised over £40k, helping us to fund essential services, including CHAS at Home, providing a vital lifeline for families, especially those in remote or rural communities.

“Our CHAS at Home team supports children and families in their own homes, providing a range of care and support, including symptom management and emotional support, as well as moments of connection and play.

“The incredible amount raised will help us fund a CHAS At Home Nurse for a year.”

New partnership to support innovation and entrepreneurship

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.”

New collaboration to tackle health inequalities launched

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.”

Find out more about the Collaboration for Health Equity in Scotland

Find out more about the UCL Institute for Health Equity

47,000 young people to benefit from Big Bang at School Blueprint thanks to RAF Charitable Trust partnership

EngineeringUK is partnering with The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT) to expand the reach of its Big Bang at School Blueprint programme, where secondary schools can host their own exciting science and engineering days. 

With a skills and labour shortage in the engineering and technology sector, and EngineeringUK and Royal Society research showing some girls are switching off from science, the partnership with RAFCT aims to support up to 47,000 young people to enjoy their own Big Bang at School day with amazing science and engineering activities, workshops and projects and spark a passion and curiosity for all things STEM. 

The funding will enable Big Bang at School Blueprint, which aims to bring the same fun, excitement and interactive learning experience as The Big Bang Fair, held each year at the NEC, to the classroom to benefit 11 to 14 year-olds and bring to life science, engineering and technology careers through shows, workshops and activities. 

RAFCT aims to inspire young people to consider careers in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and is powered by the proceeds of the Royal International Air Tattoo.

Dr Kevin P Stenson, Director of RAFCT said, “The RAF Charitable Trust, powered by RIAT, is delighted to support EngineeringUK’s Big Bang School at School Blueprint programme.

“This new partnership, part of our aim to be able to support an annual National STEM programmes for 500,000 young people aged 5 – 25 years, represents a huge leap forward for us by enabling nearly 50,000 11 to 14-year-olds to be inspired to fulfil their potential in air, space and technology. 

“This secondary school programme builds upon existing programmes we enable with primary schools.”  

Bursaries for the Big Bang at School Blueprint are available for priority schools to help teachers host their own STEM project and workshops. 

Engineering UK Chief Executive, Dr Hilary Leevers said: “It’s fantastic to be partnering with the RAF Charitable Trust to help spread the reach of the Big Bang at School Blueprint.

“More young people from all backgrounds across the UK need to know about the exciting and impactful jobs to be had in science, technology and engineering.

“We greatly appreciate the support of the RAF Charitable Trust to help us make that happen through the Big Bang at School Blueprint – and we’ll make sure children have some fun along the way!” 

Students team up with Falkirk FC in new partnership

Sports performance students at Heriot-Watt University are getting the chance to trade the classroom for the football pitch as part of a new partnership with Falkirk FC.

Both institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to a two-year collaboration to merge academic and professional sport expertise.

This partnership grants Falkirk FC access to Heriot-Watt’s cutting-edge Sport Science Laboratory facilities, where player performance can be analysed using advanced exercise testing and movement analysis techniques, and body composition assessed by gold standard imaging methods.

In return, Heriot-Watt students will gain real-world experience in sport and exercise science, applying their skills to tasks such as player conditioning, match performance analysis, and injury prevention.

A key component of the agreement is to provide placement and research opportunities at the Club for third and fourth-year students studying for a BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science. They will learn directly from coaches, sports scientists, and club staff to understand the strategies and techniques involved in elite performance and player development.

Leading the MoU on behalf of Heriot-Watt University is Chris Easton, Professor of Exercise Physiology at theSchool of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society.

He welcomed the signing of the MoU and is looking forward to optimising the performance levels at Falkirk FC.

Chris said: “Through this exciting partnership with Falkirk FC, our students will gain invaluable, hands-on experience in a real-world sports environment, where they can apply the principles they learn in the classroom directly to player development and performance analysis.

“This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to producing industry-ready graduates, and we’re thrilled to offer our students an opportunity to learn from and contribute to a leading football club.

“By bringing together Heriot-Watt’s academic strengths in sport science with Falkirk FC’s expertise on the field, we’re setting the foundation for a powerful exchange of knowledge that will benefit both our students and the club.”

With Falkirk FC currently topping the Championship and aiming for a Premiership return, this partnership arrives at an opportune time for the club to leverage scientific support for player performance.

The MoU is not the only link between the University and Falkirk FC in recent times. In October, the Club signed a new centre-forward, Barney Stewart, from Heriot-Watt University Football Club. Barney has been loaned back to the University squad until January after which time he will move to Falkirk under contract until June 2027.

Blair Doughty, Head of Physical Performance at Falkirk FC, added: “This partnership has the potential of huge benefit for both Falkirk FC and Heriot-Watt University.

“The University share the same values and vision to help improve performance which is something we look for in a strategic partner. The access to cutting-edge Sport Science Laboratory facilities will be of great value to the performance department as we seek to provide a best-in-class performance services for our players to give them the tools needed to perform at the highest level.

“As well as facilities another benefit of this partnership is the ability to keep up to date with the latest research developments helping inform best practise and also develop our own process and frameworks to push performance both for the First Team and Academy.

“Lastly, this partnership will help Heriot Watt develop their students into industry ready candidates and allows us to shape the practitioners of the future. Through learning and seeing firsthand the work done at Falkirk Football Club”

To find out more about Heriot-Watt’s BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science programme visit the website.