Partners and wine experts Jonathan Heredia and Isla Mosquera have officially opened the doors to Chez Bernard, a new neighbourhood French wine bar and bistro located on the waterfront of The Shore in Leith.
As the first French wine bar in the area, it is set to become a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike, whether for a long lunch or evening drink.
Chez Bernard is more than just a name to Jonathan and Isla. The new bar is a tribute to Jonathan’s grandfather, Bernard, and to the simple moments that shaped his lifelong love for food, wine, and the table.
Jonathan spent many summers near the Atlantic coast of France, which is where his appreciation for a traditional ‘long lunch’ began. While these long French lunches are a huge inspiration behind the venue, the space is also a vibrant wine bar, making Chez Bernard the ideal place to visit in the evening for a bottle of wine, fresh oysters, cheese and charcuterie, or simply a relaxed glass at the bar.
Opening Chez Bernard is the couple’s way of keeping Jonathan’s grandfather’s memory alive. In a fitting tribute, the perfect waterfront space for their vision became available just off ‘Bernard Street’, a clear sign to Jonathan and Isla that they had found their home.
Drawing on 15 years of combined experience in hospitality between them, Jonathan and Isla who are engaged, are bringing that expert knowledge and passion for wine to Leith with Chez Bernard. The pair have curated an extensive wine list that pairs perfectly with the bistro’s authentic French and seafood offerings.
The menu at Chez Bernard caters to all occasions, offering great options whether diners are looking for a solo bite or food to share. Guests can expect classic French sharing plates, including a selection of artisanal French cheeses and charcuterie.
The bar also boasts an array of seafood dishes, featuring a salmon platter, dressed crab, and fresh oysters, alongside an assortment of hot dishes and additional sharing plates.
Co-owner Jonathan Heredia, said: “Chez Bernard is deeply personal for us. It’s a tribute to my grandfather and to the simple moments that shaped my love for food, wine, and the table.
“I spent many summers with my grandfather, which is where my love for a long, leisurely lunch began. When this beautiful space became available just off Bernard Street, it felt like absolute fate for both of us.
“This is our way of keeping his memory alive, and Isla and I want to bring a little of that continental warmth to The Shore. We want this to be a welcoming place to share good food, enjoy wine, and spend time around the table with the people you love.”
Chez Bernard promises an inviting, relaxed atmosphere perfect for afternoon grazing, evening drinks, or celebratory dinners with loved ones.
For more information, to view the menus, and to book a table, please visit:
We would like to say a massive thank you and farewell to Richie Adams, who has been our CEO for the last 5 and a half years! He has made a huge impact on FetLor through his leadership and ingenuity.
Richie joined FetLor at the height of the pandemic when we couldn’t even meet in person at the time due to the restrictions, but this didn’t stop him leaving a lasting impact at FetLor.
Please take a moment to read some kind words he would like to pass on:
The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, has paid tribute to former Presiding Officer and MSP, Rt Hon Sir George Reid, following his death in the early hours of Tuesday 12 August.
The Rt Hon Sir George Reid served as Deputy Presiding Officer from 1999 to 2003, and then as Presiding Officer from 2003 to 2007. He was elected as MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region from 1999 to 2003 and then for the Ochil constituency from 2003 to 2007.
During his time as Presiding Officer, he oversaw the completion of the new Scottish Parliament building, opening in 2004. He was also MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire from 1974 to 1979.
A Book of Condolence has been opened and flags at the Scottish Parliament lowered as a mark of respect.
On his passing, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, said:“On behalf of all at the Scottish Parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid.
“He’ll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young Parliament.
“A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded. By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new Parliament in action.
“The story of devolution and the early years of our Parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude. My deepest condolences to Daphne, his daughter and grandchildren and his many friends and colleagues. Sir George was welcoming and supportive to me, in Holyrood and outwith. He will be very much missed.
“Flags at Holyrood have been lowered as a mark of respect.”
With a heavy heart, we share the sad news of the passing of our dear honorary patron and ELREC’s longest serving member, Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, OBE KT.
A man of immense wisdom, dignity, and unwavering integrity, Sir Geoff’s life was a powerful testament to resilience, courage and a commitment to justice.
His contributions to science, education, and the ongoing fight for racial equality have left an indelible mark on the world.
Beyond his remarkable achievements, Sir Geoff will be remembered for his humility, kindness, and the way he inspired generations to think critically and act compassionately. His voice was one of clarity in challenging times, and his legacy will continue to guide and uplift us.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. May he rest in peace, and may we honor his memory by continuing the work he so passionately championed.
Gone, but will never be forgotten
ELREC (Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council)
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of Sir Geoff Palmer’s passing. A tireless advocate for equality and a pioneering academic, Sir Geoff was a true inspiration and will leave a lasting impression on Edinburgh.
“In 2022 I was honoured to present Sir Geoff with the Edinburgh Award in recognition of his academic achievements and his passionate defence of human rights and justice in the city and beyond.
His handprints remain immortalised alongside those of other Edinburgh Award recipients and will give passers-by pause to reflect on the huge impact he had here.
“In chairing the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Sir Geoff made a vital contribution to recognising and profiling the Capital’s links with Slavery and Colonialism in the public realm.
“I know Sir Geoff’s legacy in academia and activism will live on for years to come, inspiring future generations. He will be dearly missed – my thoughts are with his friends, family and all those who knew him.”
COUNCIL LEADER CLLLR JANE MEAGHER COMMENTS ON THE SAD PASSING OF HER COLLEAGUE, CULTURE & COMMUNITIES CONVENER CLLR VAL WALKER
Councillor Jane Meagher said: “I was extremely sad to hear of Val’s sudden and unexpected death and my thoughts are with her family and friends.
“It was a privilege to get to know Val, both as a friend and colleague. What struck me from the very beginning was her intelligence, her wit but, most of all, her warmth and kindness. Even in the heat of political debate she would always remain calm, constructive and respectful of other people’s views.
“Prior to becoming a councillor, her roles in education and library services over many years gave her a long-lasting passion for reading, something that she loved to share with others – helping them to discover the wonderful world of books and libraries.
“Alongside this, she campaigned tirelessly for the Labour Party, as she did for the rights of workers, women and single parents. She spent thousands of hours knocking on doors and speaking to local residents – and I know that being elected as councillor for Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart in 2022 filled her with huge pride, something that stayed with her throughout.
“She brought the same determination to her role as Chair of the Council’s Joint Consultative Committee and I know she was held in the highest regard by the Trade Unions, who recognised a lifetime of activism and support.
“Val’s other great passion for theatre, and the arts more generally, made her the perfect choice for Culture and Communities Convener, a role that she approached with vigour and enthusiasm. She was never happier than when she’d managed to find a way of reaching consensus with all parties and I know that she was trusted and admired by colleagues from across the chamber.
“She was also a great champion of the festivals, and of the benefits they bring to our city’s reputation, but – in typically balanced fashion – an equally fierce defender of our parks and greenspaces and the huge enjoyment they bring to our residents.
“Val is a great loss to the council, to her colleagues and to the city. We will miss her immensely.”
‘Everyone at the Unite City of Edinburgh Council branch is saddened to hear that Councillor Val Walker has passed away. We know her as a solid supporter of worker’s rights.
‘She will be dearly missed.’
Flags will be lowered at the City Chambers as a mark of respect.
Tickets are on sale for Scotland’s National event to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe:
Scotland’s Salute – A Tribute to VE-Day 80th Anniversary Concert
Organised by Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, this exciting May event follows on from last June’s hugely successful Scotland Salutes: D-Day 80 concert.
Tickets can be purchased directly from the Usher Hall Website on:
Despite leaving North Edinburgh for the bright lights in London when she was only 17, Linda never forgot where she came from and was very proud of North Edinburgh , its people and the community’s long history of fighting injustice (writes LYNN McCABE).
She felt very strongly about inequality and social justice and although she had a comfortable life and could have spent her retirement years with her feet up, she chose to get involved in her old community and do what she could to try to improve things.
She was passionate about education and was a great advocate for lifelong learning and signed up for a variety of courses which covered some of the topics she was interested in including Scottish history, politics, the Scots language and the arts. Even when she wasn’t attending a class, she was always researching something and was keen to share her learning with others.
She joined the Power to the People group in 2012, a new project developed by local activists who wanted to study the history of protest in Scotland through the arts. It was a perfect fit for Linda with her passion for politics, Scottish history and the arts.
The class ran for a number of years and brought together people who were new to activism as well as people who had been involved in community politics and the trade unions.
Linda was really interested in listening to everyone’s views but was more than capable of holding her own during the many heated debates that took place each week!
Through the years, the focus of the class moved from studying the history of protest to actually taking part in protests! Members of the Power to the People group got involved in many local issues including cuts to local services and the campaign to stop the eviction of local families from their homes.
Linda was at the heart of these protests helping to design placards and banners and was actively involved in a sit-in at the local housing office and a protest that ended up taking over Ruth Davidson’s constituency office. She also took part in numerous protests outside the city chambers every year in response to proposals to cut vital local services.
Having exhausted the subject of the history of protest in Scotland over a 2 year period, Linda and her class mates from the Power to the People group decided it was time to undertake another research project where the focus was closer to home.
This project was going to focus on North Edinburgh’s history and would cover some of the big industrial, housing and political changes in the area over the last century. It turned out that there was too many interesting things which they felt could not be missed out so the history timeline began with the Roman encampment in Cramond!
The information the group unearthed was fascinating and highlighted how central North Edinburgh was to Scotland’s history.
On the completion of this research, Linda and a few other folk from the group decided their next priority would be to promote North Edinburgh’s hidden history and over a number of years they developed heritage walks, a history hub down at Madelvic and led a successful campaign to protect and restore the Granton Castle Walled Garden.
Linda remained actively involved in all these projects even as her health deteriorated and was instrumental in helping to preserve the area’s cultural heritage.
Another passion of Linda’s was arts and culture. She felt strongly about the need for the arts to be accessible to everyone. She was a regular visitor at the city’s art galleries and kept her eye out for new exhibitions and cultural events which were heading to Edinburgh.
She was quick to share this information with all the groups and projects she was connected with which ensured that local folk from didn’t miss out.
Linda was very good with her hands and was one of the stitchers involved in creating the Prestonpans tapestry, The Diaspora Tapestry for the Homecoming and the Great Tapestry of Scotland.
She almost succeeded in convincing her friends from North Edinburgh to embark on a new project called the Great Tapestry of North Edinburgh which was going to cover key historical events and famous people associated with North Edinburgh. Everyone was really excited about the idea of this project, until they realised that they were going to have to be involved in doing the stitching!
Despite a really positive meeting with Andrew Crummy who had designed the other tapestries, the consensus amongst the group was that it was a good idea but none of them were likely to be alive to see the tapestry completed so sadly that project didn’t come to pass!
Another passion of Linda’s was womens’ rights and so on Wednesday afternoons she would catch up with her pals from the Women’s International Group (WIG) who ran a programme of informal learning opportunities for local women.
The group also organised numerous events including womens’ health and well-being days, hustings, and public meetings on local issues and made history when they became the first singing deputation at a full council meeting.
Being local women, the Women’s International Group were well aware of all the strong North Edinburgh women who had came before them and made a point of celebrating their achievements and the achievements of inspirational women from around the world at their annual international womens day events.
Linda was always at the heart of these gatherings and did presentations, took her turn at chairing the event, read poetry but was equally happy to do the register or make the tea and coffee.
Linda’s passion for her community continued through the last few years of her life. She would regularly email me funding information or links to materials which she thought would be useful.
Despite her health issues, she remained interested in what was happening in North Edinburgh and regularly shared words of support and encouragement to the friends she had made in the community over the years.
Linda was most definitely a North Edinburgh ‘wummin’ through and through and will be missed by all who knew her.
On the one year anniversary of her passing, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reflects on the life and service of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Today, on the solemn anniversary of the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our thoughts are with His Majesty King Charles III and the whole Royal Family.
With the perspective of a year, the scale of Her Late Majesty’s service only seems greater. Her devotion to the nations of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth only seems deeper. And our gratitude for such an extraordinary life of duty and dedication, only continues to grow.
I treasure my memories of those occasions when I met Her Late Majesty, in particular the private audience I had with her at Buckingham Palace before presenting my first Budget as Chancellor. I was struck by her wisdom, by her incredible warmth and grace, but also her sharp wit.
People across the UK – whether they had the good fortune to meet Her Late Majesty or not – will be reflecting today on what she meant to them and the example she set for us all. We will cherish those memories.
The bond between country and monarch is sacred. It endures. So, while we continue to mourn Her Late Majesty’s passing, we should be proud that this remarkable legacy of service – and this remarkable bond – continues to grow today under the reign of His Majesty The King.”
Tribute to our Sovereign and Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Royal British Legion Scotland is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our Sovereign and Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth served as our Patron since her accession in 1952, taking over this role from her father, King George VI, and earlier her grandfather, King George V, who had been Patrons of Legion Scotland before her.
The Queen granted us the Royal title in 1971, the year of the Legion’s Golden Jubilee. Legion Scotland then led the organisation of the 20th Annual Conference of the British Commonwealth Ex Services League in Edinburgh in May 1977, where the Queen attended the reception.
In 1981 she carried out the Royal Review where she was joined by 3000 Legionnaires in Holyrood Park to mark our Diamond Jubilee. We have also been honoured annually to receive her greetings and well wishes to our members on the occasion of our Conference, as well as her congratulations last year when Legion Scotland marked our centenary.
Throughout her reign, the Queen has diligently served as Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces. Her relationship with the Armed Forces began before her accession when she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in 1945. On doing so, she became the first female member of the Royal Family to serve as a full-time active member of the Armed Forces.
As Head of the Armed Forces, the Queen was also committed to honouring the service and sacrifice of the entire Armed Forces community, leading the nation in moments of Remembrance each November.
Her Majesty had a tireless devotion to our nation and has been an inspiration to us all. We are immensely thankful for her faithful lifetime of service. We join the entire Armed Forces community in mourning her loss and our sincere condolences are with the Royal Family at this time.
‘I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.
‘Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.
‘Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where The Queen was Head of State, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than 70 years in which my Mother, as Queen, served the people of so many nations.
‘In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her peoples.
‘That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty.
‘Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never waivered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss.
‘In her life of service we saw that abiding love of tradition, together with that fearless embrace of progress, which make us great as Nations. The affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign.
‘And, as every member of my family can testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humour and an unerring ability always to see the best in people.
‘I pay tribute to my Mother’s memory and I honour her life of service. I know that her death brings great sadness to so many of you and I share that sense of loss, beyond measure, with you all.
‘When The Queen came to the throne, Britain and the world were still coping with the privations and aftermath of the Second World War, and still living by the conventions of earlier times.
‘In the course of the last 70 years we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many faiths.
‘The institutions of the State have changed in turn. But, through all changes and challenges, our nation and the wider family of Realms – of whose talents, traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud – have prospered and flourished. Our values have remained, and must remain, constant.
‘The role and the duties of Monarchy also remain, as does the Sovereign’s particular relationship and responsibility towards the Church of England – the Church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted.
‘In that faith, and the values it inspires, I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others, and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions, freedoms and responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government.
‘As The Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.
‘And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.
‘My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities.
‘It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.
‘This is also a time of change for my family. I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla.
‘In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort. I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.
‘As my Heir, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me. He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall which I have undertaken for more than five decades.
‘Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty.
‘With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.
‘I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.
‘In a little over a week’s time we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example.
‘On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express.
‘And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years.
‘May “flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest”.’
King Charles III will be officially proclaimed monarch during an ancient Accession Council ceremony which will be televised for the first time this morning.
Charles automatically became King on the death of his mother, but the Accession Council, attended by Privy Counsellors, will confirm his new role at 10am today.
