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Edinburgh Reporter
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Marking Armed Forces Day in Edinburgh
In Edinburgh, a parade led by The Highland and Lowland Bands of The Royal Regiment of Scotland marched along George Street on Saturday morning, stopping at a saluting dais at the Assembly Rooms before assembling in St Andrew Square to mark Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Day is always held on the last Saturday of June and is an annual opportunity to show support and gratitude for the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets, and their families. A selection of WWII vehicles, including some tracked tanks, also processed along George Street with the bands and veterans. The British Army in Scotland includes The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards at Leuchars Station, the 39 Engineer Regiment at Kinloss Barracks, and The Royal Regiment of Scotland at Fort George, representing a diverse range of combat and support capabilities. The government said that its Strategic Defence Review emphasises the importance of Scotland's industrial base. At Rosyth, Babcock is constructing the Royal Navy's new fleet of five Type 31 frigates, a multi-billion-pound programme supporting hundreds of skilled jobs and sustaining a world-class shipbuilding industry. This Armed Forces Week, 8,200 members of the UK Armed Forces will be deployed overseas, serving on 52 operations in 38 countries. Hundreds more personnel are working to protect our skies, shores and seas at home. Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said:'I'm immensely proud of all our Scots servicemen and women and I'd like to thank them for the extraordinary work they do to keep us safe all day, every day in the UK and around the world. National security is a UK Government priority and we will always stand up for our military. I look forward to the whole country uniting for today's Armed Forces Day to show our support for currently serving troops, service families, veterans and cadets.' This year, the town of Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire will host the Armed Forces Day national event and is expected to welcome 200,000 visitors to the celebrations this weekend. The Ministry of Defence has also announced that the bidding process for next year's Armed Forces Day national event will open next week, on Tuesday 1 July. Local authorities can apply for up to £50,000 in funding to host the official Armed Forces Day national event. This follows the government's decision to bring back the Armed Forces Day national event for the first time since 2023. The winning town or city will also receive support from the Ministry of Defence such as military musicians, air displays and flypasts. © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
By-election in Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart on Thursday
There are only three days to go until the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election, the council is urging people living in the ward to return their postal ballots or go to a polling station to cast their votes on Thursday. Anyone living in the area aged 16 and over and who has registered to vote can cast their ballot to elect one new councillor in the by-election. The current electorate is 18,945. It is advised that voters bring their poll card with them – while it is not absolutely necessary it will make the voting process quicker. Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence said: 'With the by-election fast approaching, I'd encourage all residents of the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart ward to head to their local polling station this Thursday. Please remember to bring your poll card. 'The councillor you elect will represent your community on key issues both within the ward and across Edinburgh – so make sure you take this important opportunity to make your voice heard. 'To make sure your vote is counted, if you've received a postal ballot, please return it as soon as possible. 'If you need any assistance when casting your vote in person, please speak to one of our colleagues at our polling stations.' Accessibility The council elections pages provide useful information on how the Single Transferable Vote system works with voters ranking candidates in order of preference, choosing as many or few as desired. The local authority is also highlighting the accessibility arrangements in place at all polling stations to help everyone cast their votes: Pencil grips A dedicated phone line to hear the ballot paper read out on their phones (0131 392 8556) Magnifying glasses Additional lighting if needed for the polling booth Braille overlay for people with sight loss Coloured overlay sheets for people with dyslexia Oversized ballot papers Polling station colleagues will guide people to the voting booth and to mark their vote, if needed. Voters may take their phones into the polling booth to use a magnifier or text-to-speech app. The audio ballot paper may be found here: Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm at: Kingsknowe Golf Club Edinburgh Corn Exchange St Michaels Church Hall Fountainbridge Library Boroughmuir Rugby & Community Sports Club Craiglockhart Parish Church Hall Tollcross Community Centre The electronic count of votes will take place on Thursday 26 June starting at the close of poll at 10pm. Find out more about the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election on the council website Edinburgh City Chambers. © 2023 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
The National
20-06-2025
- Business
- The National
First new distillery in Inverclyde in more than 100 years opens
Following eight years of development, planning, and construction, Ardgowan Distillery was officially opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes on Friday. The distillery was designed with a Scandinavian longhouse aesthetic in mind, and along with it being visually striking, it also champions sustainability with its 97% recycled aluminium roof and composite cladding. The distillery has its sights set on not only producing top-quality whisky but also striving for carbon neutrality simultaneously. READ MORE: Community pub developed from historic school and outdoor centre set to open Forbes congratulated the Ardgowan team during her visit to the distillery as she said they have shown dedication to make the project a reality over the last eight years. She said: 'This is a significant moment for the region's economy, with investment and job opportunities set to boost local communities. 'Scotland's whisky industry is a pivotal contributor to our positive global standing and provides great economic benefit, adding over £7 billion to the UK economy and generating £5.4 billion in exports alone. (Image: Martin McAdam) 'I congratulate the team at Ardgowan for the dedication they have shown on this journey and I wish them every success as they enter the next phase of their operations.' The last distillery to operate in Inverclyde was destroyed in the Greenock Blitz on May 7, 1941. The Ardgowan Distillery's visitor centre is also planned to open later this summer with various experiences on offer. The site will be open to the public between 15:00-19:00 on Friday with live music, local food vendors, a children's activity area, and exclusive whiskies on offer to celebrate the grand opening. Founded in 2017, the west coast firm is led by whisky entrepreneur Roland Grain and distillery manager Laura Davies, who are leading an expert team with a combined experience spanning over seven decades in the whisky industry. (Image: Martin McAdam) Grain said: 'After a lengthy build, the team and I are thrilled to now be in full production and filling casks with our own distillate, including private casks for our Clan Ardgowan members. 'Ardgowan's ultimate goal is to revive the golden age of Scotch whisky with long Sherry cask maturation in European oak. 'Our commitment to quality is demonstrated by investing millions of pounds in our bespoke Infinity Casks years before the distillery was built. 'Producing whisky is all about time and patience, so, as we fill our first casks and the Deputy First Minister opens the site to the public, we look forward to steadily perfecting our Single Malt in the years to come.'
Edinburgh Reporter
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Beating Retreat at The Royal Scots Club
At The Royal Scots Club on Saturday evening HRH The Princess Royal attended the Beating Retreat to take the salute. The Lowland Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland alongside The Royal Scots Association Pipe Band performed along Abercromby Place. Members of the club had met HRH at a drinks reception earlier, after an unveiling of a new plaque to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth in Princes Street Gardens. Members of the public were encouraged to gather on the street to witness the annual event. Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Chelsea Pensioners at the Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam The Rt Hon Lord Provost Beating Retreat. © 2025 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Get ready – it's the 77th Edinburgh Taxi Outing this Tuesday
On Tuesday the 77th Edinburgh Taxi Outing will fill the streets with joy and laughter – and a few damp passers by. The outing is organised and funded by taxi drivers and offers a day out for children who have additional needs, life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses. The taxis are decorated with balloons or created as floats. Taxis assemble at the car park at Edinburgh Zoo where judging takes place and the Rt Hon Lord Provost of Edinburgh hands out the prizes. There are categories for best float taxi, best balloon taxi, best fancy dressed driver and best fancy dressed child. Keith Bell Secretary Edinburgh Taxi Trade Children's Outing Committee explained: 'We then leave Edinburgh Zoo Car Park at 10am heading under Police escort through the city and along the coast to Archerfield Walled Garden (between Gullane and Dirleton, East Lothian) with a stop outside Luca's in Musselburgh to refill the water tanks and to eat as much ice cream as possible. 'Once we reach Archerfield it's a fun-filled afternoon before heading home about 4pm.' The route is Edinburgh Zoo 10:00 Costorphine Rd 10:05 Roseburn 10:10 Haymarket 10:15 Princes St 10:20 Mound High Street 1025 Canongate 10:35 Abbeyhill 10:40 London Rd 10:43 Portobello Rd 10:46 Portobello High St 10:50 Joppa 10:55 Musselbugh a11:10 d11:40 then the coast road through Prestonpans 11.50 Cockenzie 12.00 Port Seton 12.10 Aberlady 12.25 Gullane 12.35 Dirleton 12.45 © 2024 Martin McAdam © 2024 Martin McAdam © 2024 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
