The Edinburgh Reporter published 31jan18

he Edinburgh Reporter

Free

www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk

he Edinburgh Reporter February 2018 Read John Preece's review of the 2017 Autumn Internationals P18

Only a moment ago it was December and we were enjoying all that Edin‐ burgh's Christmas and Edinburgh's Hogmanay had to offer. We hope you enjoyed our ireworks photos on Facebook too (thousands saw them it seems!)

We are looking forward to the Edin‐ burgh International Festival with its official launch in March.

Our newspaper is published month‐ ly. he copy and advertising deadline is 22nd of each month and we would love to hear from you with your news for inclusion.

Read about the new Edinburgh Futures Institute and the architect behind it P5

Photo : ROB MCDOUGALL

Eagle Couriers are ensuring delivery of our newspapers to all libraries in he City of Edinburgh Council re‐ gion. It is also distributed through coffee shops and hotels in the city centre. If you would like to stock our paper please let us know. Email edi‐ tor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk

If you are not in the market for buy‐ ing advertising then please do sup‐ port us by making a donation, how‐ ever small, on our website. his will help us to continue bring‐ ing you the news in a straightfor‐ ward style but on many platforms : our website, the newspaper, Insta‐ gram, Twitter, Facebook and Vimeo.

One of our QR codes included in this edition will take you straight to Vimeo where our ilm reports are published. he Edinburgh Trams Inquiry con‐ tinues apace at Waverleygate but will break until 19 February to allow for new evidence found by he City of Edinburgh Council to be consid‐ ered. he City of Edinburgh Council is de‐ ciding on the future of Picardy Place as we go to print, amid calls for the gyratory to be scrapped. he New

Town and Broughton Community Council want the decision to be put off but the council is keen to do the work while Leith Street is closed.

Watch this space! he People's Postcode Lottery which employs 300 people in Edinburgh held its Gala Dinner with Emma hompson the actor and activist as after dinner speaker at the Botanics.

Wheels Of Change, led by charity Whizz Kidz, received £1million on the night. hey transform the lives of young wheelchair users by provid‐ ing them with the most appropriate mobility equipment for their daily needs. hey have partnered up with Duchenne UK and the University of Edinburgh to radically improve qual‐ ity of life by developing a wheelchair that harnesses not only the technol‐ ogy of today but of tomorrow as well.

Finlay Wilson one of the Kilted Yogis kickstarted Robert Burns celebrations at he Giant Lanterns of China at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo. he trail of over 450 dazzling animal-themed lanterns will illuminate the Zoo in a light spectacle until 25 February 2018.

2

Published 31 January 2018

LOCAL NEWS EDINBURGH LUMEN Edinburgh Lumen which launches in February is billed as an immersive visual and sound display to brighten up the dark nights.

We had the Field of Light a few years ago but you will be able to walk through the area at he Mound Precinct. here will be two other ar‐ eas in Assembly Rooms Lane and St Andrew Square which will be made into 'zen-like portals of tranquility'.

St Andrew Square will become the Serenity Gardens with bespoke lighting touching every corner of the garden and will be set to calming music.

Assembly Rooms Lane will become Moments Lane with three tranquil animated scenes projected onto the walls he Mound Precinct will become the Ocean of Light with 12,000 individ‐ ual suspended lights in a display which will stand over ive metres high. his is the one you will be able to walk through as it will be spread over an area 9 x 9 metres. he installation will be created

by NL Productions for he City of Edinburgh Council who hope this will provide a calmer experi‐ ence for locals and residents than the summer and winter fes‐ tivals.

Councillor Donald Wilson, Cul‐ ture and Communities Convener for the City of Edinburgh Coun‐ cil, said: "Combining the peaceful beauty of Field of Light with the playfulness of 2016's stick igures and Edinburgh's Georgian Shadows, Edinburgh Lumen is our most ambi‐ tious light display yet.

"As the home of art and culture all year round, these unique pieces of public art have been specially de‐ signed for the landscape and for the people of Edinburgh to enjoy. hey promise to adorn the city centre with a constellation of lights to guide us into spring and I am sure the artwork will draw an impressive footfall."

John Donnelly, Chief Executive of Marketing Edinburgh, said: "Edinburgh has a cultural calendar to admire, illed with world class fes‐ tivals and celebrated traditions. he addition of Edinburgh Lumen will give locals and visitors even more reasons to shout about the city that's constantly innovating.

"We always want to give the people of Edinburgh even more reasons come into the city centre and enjoy its vibrant retail, culture and restau‐ rant offering. his tranquil yet en‐ chanting lighting event will do just

that. Spread over three city centre locations, locals and visitors can weave in and out of the immersive experiences that are set to light up the dark nights".

brate the effect that that the Royal High, in common with all of our schools, has had on launching young people into their future."

Get in touch with David by email

FREE to attend Edinburgh Lumen 8 February to 11 March 2018.For more information visit: www.ed‐ inburgh.org

he City of Edinburgh Council will meet at the City Chambers on 22 February 2018 to decide upon the budget for the next year.

5 0 t h A t B a r n t o n @ r o ya l h i g h‐ .edin.sch.uk he school at Calton Hill re‐ mains empty 50 years later amid a wrangle involving owners he City of Edinburgh Council, a ho‐ tel developer DHP and Royal High School Preservation Trust.

Bike sharing is on its way ROYAL HIGH SCHOOL NEEDS YOU TO CELEBRATE WITH THEM he Royal High School is one of City Council's 23 High schools, many of which have been around for a long time. he oldest of these, he Royal High School, celebrates its 890th an‐ niversary, and 50 years at Barnton in 2018.

David Simpson Depute Rector writes : "It is believed that the Royal High is one of the oldest schools in Scotland if not Europe- it has been educating the boys of Edinburgh since 1128 - when it started as the Choir school for Holyrood Abbey.

Great changes have occurred since then, from violent disorder in 1595, to educating some of the most no‐ table igures in the Scottish enlight‐ enment. he list of former pupils is interesting and all embracing- David Hume, Sir Walter Scott, Alexander Graham Bell, King Edward VIIth was on our roll, a clutch of Lord provosts, Britain's greatest pilot Eric 'Winkle' Brown, Ronnie Corbett, Robin Cook the former Foreign Sec‐ retary and most recently Catriona Morison, Winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World…..

Transport for Edinburgh, the city's transport body has a goal of getting people on their bikes. hey say they would like 15% of all commutes and 10% of all journeys to be by bike in three years' time. he City of Edinburgh Council al‐ ready spends 11% of its transport budget on cycling infrastructure and has its own active travel policy to encourage the use of bikes in the capital. TfE envisage dockless bikes which will make cycling more acces‐ sible and integrate it with the city's public transport. A primary concern is road safety and in the code which they have drawn up they state that 'Dockless bike share schemes must work for everyone without impact‐ ing, or causing a danger to, other road users.' he idea is to have a number of bikes available for the public to use within a certain area which will be 'geofenced'.

Recently we met representatives from ofo one of several companies

"Two major changes happened 50 years ago. In 1968 the school left the famous building on Calton Hill for its current site at Barnton, and then in 1973 girls were admitted and the school became comprehen‐ sive. One or two of the old masters foretold doom, but rumours of our demise have been exaggerated - the school continues to thrive and strive for excellence for all - and is now larger than it has ever been.

"As we plan a series of events we are keen to make contact with former pupils, parents and staff to share memories, photographs and cele‐

Paul Spence of ofo

bidding for the right to run the bike hire scheme in the capital. heir bikes are extremely easy to use with an app which you download to your phone as the means of unlock‐ ing. he bike can be readied for use in under a minute, and locking the bike again is very simple too.

Matthew Sparkes from the company told us Edinburgh has a tender process for a bike hire scheme and ofo hope to bring their distinctive yellow bikes to Edinburgh.

He explained how it works : "Every bike has a smart lock on the back. It locks the bike by pushing a rod through the back wheel, meaning you don't have to lock the bike to anything. When the rod is in place you cannot ride the bike. We have a smartphone app which helps you to ind a spare bike and we will have hundreds all over the city. You walk up to one, scan the bike and the lock opens. As soon as you're inished you just push the lock down and walk away.

"It costs 50p for every ride for half an hour. here is no deposit to pay, it is backed with a credit or debit card."

Even though the bikes are light it will be difficult to steal them. To protect against theft every bike has a GPS chip inside the lock and it communicates its position back to ofo all the time. here are several companies doing this but ofo say that they are the ex‐ perts who began irst. he company already has over 3,000 bikes on the street in the UK, in London, Cam‐ bridge, Oxford, Nor wich and Sheffield, although the company be‐ gan in Peking where founder David Dai set up the irst bike sharing plat‐ form.

If ofo win the right to set up in Ed‐ inburgh then Paul Spence will run the Edinburgh operation. At present he is Operations Performance Man‐ ager for the UK. He said : "I'm Edinburgh born and bred and a keen cyclist and I think this scheme would go down very well here. We are long overdue a dockless cycling platform and I would be very excited to launch and manage that here.

"It is important to protect a UN‐ ESCO site such as this, so there would be 30 marshals using E-bikes and trailers and using electric vehi‐ cles. hey would be working throughout the day and evening to redistribute our bikes across the city." he system is also self-regulated by awarding extra points if customers return bikes to hubs. Paul thinks the hubs for collecting and returning bikes might be tram stops, bus and train stations, university buildings and other key city centre areas. You have to return the bike to a place where bike parking is allowed.

And if you are wondering where the name of the company comes from, they say that the logo looks like a person riding a bike!

Scan this QR code to watch a video of the OFO bikes

Published 31 January 2018

3

Tap 'n Glide Edinburgh Trams go contactless!

You can now buy a tram ticket with an enabled debit or credit card at 51 upgraded ticket vending machines without having to use your PIN. Lea Harrison, Edinburgh Trams Managing Director, explained: "Ini‐ tial trials of the technology at select‐ ed stops proved a real hit with cus‐ tomers, who no longer have to dig in their wallet or purse for loose change or stand around entering their PIN.

New managers at he Principal

forward to showcasing the essence of what makes he Principal Edin‐ burgh Charlotte Square, and indeed the city, so unique and special."

One of the two Principal Hotels in Edinburgh, he Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square has announced new appointments.

Aberdeen-born Gillian is Hotel Man‐ ager at the property and will oversee the day to day running of he Prin‐ cipal Edinburgh Charlotte Square.

With over ten years of experience, Gillian brings a wealth of experience garnered from previous roles at Ho‐ tel Du Vin, De Vere Slayley Hall and Malmaison in Aberdeen.

Johan Scheepers will become Gener‐ al Manager, and he will be support‐ ed by Gillian Mylles as Hotel Manag‐ er, following the multi-million pound top-to-toe refurbishment at the former Roxburghe Hotel.

Bringing with them more than 32 years of hospitality experience inter‐ nationally and across Scotland, these appointments further estab‐ lish the recent re-brand of the hotel. he works included refurbishment of the 199 bedrooms and 18 suites as well as a striking, welcoming new reception and a new decor in the lobby area punctuated with colour and character.

Johan Scheepers said: "Attracting 35m visitors each year, Edinburgh remains one of the most sought-af‐ ter hotel locations in the UK. It's ex‐ tremely exciting to be working in the city and to take over a hotel property that brings a new level of understated luxury and edge to the market. Not only is the hotel situat‐ ed in a great location, but the new rooms and facilities have been com‐ pleted to an exceptionally high stan‐ dard. With the new spa set to open in spring 2018, the hotel is bringing a fresh offering to the Edinburgh hotel market - something which I'm proud to be a part of."

Originally from South Africa and ed‐ ucated at he International Hotel School and Oxford University, Jo‐ han Scheepers has over 22 years' ex‐ perience in the hospitality industry with previous roles at he Maslow Hotel, Sun City Resort in South Africa, the Radisson Edwardian Group, Guoman and histle, and a regional role with Macdonald Hotels and Resorts in Manchester.

Gillian Mylles said: "I've always wanted to work in Edinburgh; it's such a vibrant, inspiring city. As soon as I saw the new hotel concept, I knew it was set to be a truly excit‐ ing chapter. With a stunning proper‐ ty and brilliant team, I'm looking

Johan and Gillian will oversee all as‐ pects of operations including the new bedrooms and suites, six meet‐ ing and event spaces, 208 members of staff and the newly refurbished spa & leisure facilities set to open in late spring. he duo will be responsi‐ ble for taking guests on a journey of discovery, as well as nurturing tal‐ ent and establishing a new era of luxury in the Edinburgh hotel mar‐ ket. he bedrooms and suites at he Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square celebrate the golden age of travel. With no two rooms the same, a curated collection of art adorns the bedroom walls; and accessories mix books and miscellanea with PRINCIPAL touch points such as red bedside phones and a tuck box of treats. he hotel has also revealed a stun‐ ning new reception and lobby area. he centrepiece of the hotel is a beautiful internal courtyard, he Garden - an oasis of calm with a glass roof. he hotel is home to Ed‐ inburgh culinary hotspot BABA, of‐ fering a menu of bold Levantine cooking, bringing a fresh offering to Edinburgh's lourishing restaurant and bar scene.

Following the refurbishment, he Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square picked up four awards at the Regional Scottish Hotel Awards last week including; Brand Hotel Edin‐ burgh, the Classic Style Award, Maintenance Manager of the year and Concierge of the Year.

"We're delighted that this quick and easy payment method is now avail‐ able at all stops, and it's really speeding up the process of buying a ticket for our customers before they board a tram."

Contactless payments are already

popular elsewhere and it's just as easy to use the technology to pay as long as you are buying any fare over £3, including the ever-popular £3.20 return ticket.

Lea added: "he feedback we've had so far suggests more people are moving away from 'chip and PIN',

and they're inding contactless is now the fastest and most conve‐ nient way to pay."

You can also use Apple Pay and An‐ droid Pay

4

Published 31 January 2018

Politics Tommy Sheppard MP I'm very lucky to be the MP for one of the most stunning city centres in Europe. People come from across the world to marvel at the castle, the architecture, to take in the array of festivals on offer and, yes, to see where Harry Potter started his life.

Tourism is a great boost for our city.

And something we should relish.

But we do need to talk about the im‐ pact it can have, particularly on the communities in the city centre.

In the last few years short term renting has exploded thanks to the growth of websites like Airbnb. here's more than three and a half thousand whole homes up for rent in Edinburgh on Airbnb alone - most in the city centre, Leith and the Southside. It's big business - and getting bigger.

So, what's the problem? Well, for starters, there's no regulation. Visi‐ tors can be ripped off and no health and safety checks mean many are ac‐ cidents waiting to happen. here's no-one to prevent partying into the wee small hours annoying the hell out of neighbours who have no comeback because the stag party will be gone the next day. If you're just letting out a room in your home, you have some oversight of your guests' behaviour - not when you're an absentee landlord.

More than half of the city centre short terms lets on Airbnb are let by what the site calls "multi-listing hosts". hat means they're letting a bunch of properties - in effect, there are running a hotel spread over many properties. And that's unfair to those who are running an actual hotel - paying their rates and com‐ plying with a whole range of laws and policies designed to make life bearable for others.

But the greatest problem is the ef‐ fect that this new form of commer‐ cial renting is having on our commu‐ nities. here are tenements in the Grassmarket and areas like it where only one tenant or owner is left in the entire stair. In the same way you can have too many pubs in an area, you can have too many Airbnbs.

Short terms commercial lets are now being regulated throughout the world in tourist hotspots like Paris and Amsterdam.

It's time for Scotland to catch up and I'm pleased to see this is on our government's agenda.

Deidre Brock MP Dr Elsie Maud Inglis pursued women's equality not just through words, but through work. She cam‐ paigned for the vote and she took

part in the war, even when she was rudely told not to. Elsie did not "know her place"-she wanted to make a better world for all women.

Many folk in her home city of Edin‐ burgh, where she lived, trained and worked for much of her life, still do not know who Dr Elsie Inglis really was, beyond the name of the old maternity hospital where so many Edinburghers, including my partner, were born.

involved in politics and medicine and to help build a better society for our daughters and our sons began to be more widely recognised in Edin‐ burgh.

Awareness of Elsie Inglis's work is growing, with a local campaign gath‐ ering steam and a long-standing and relentless campaign for greater recognition led by historian Alan Cumming and Ian McFarlane. here are a few plaques here and there that commemorate the tremendous work of the Scottish women's hospi‐ tals, but notably there are many more in Serbia. All credit to Clydes‐ dale Bank for putting Elsie's image on its £50 notes in 2009, however, it is hardly the heights that Winston Churchill predicted when he said:

If as many Edinburgh girls and women as could manage it gave just £1 each towards that project, we would reach the target very soon. hat would be a lovely tribute from those of us who owe many of the freedoms we enjoy today to women like Elsie. However, it is even more important that her legacy is a living one, where we work to protect our NHS from privatisation, tackle poverty and inequality, and ensure that every child has the best possi‐ ble start in life. I am sure Elsie would approve of the Scottish Gov‐ ernment's baby box policy.

Elsie deserves a statue in Edinburgh, at least as much as the grand gener‐ als on horses, the visiting royals clad in tartan trews or that famous terri‐ er in the graveyard. I hope we get one, and soon.

"he record of their work, lit up by the fame of Dr Inglis, will shine in history."

Hers is an incredible story. he grit and passion this woman and her col‐ leagues showed in standing up to the prevailing attitudes to women and driving their plans forward re‐ gardless remain an inspiration to us all. he challenges for women at that time make her story all the more as‐ tonishing.

Elsie Inglis was not a nurturing an‐ gel in the role women were expected to adopt; we remember her for her surgeon's skills, her leadership, her tenacity and her vision, and for the impact she made on so many lives and the principles by which she lived. Elsie may have had a relatively privileged background, but she chose to take on the screaming wealth and gender inequalities of society. She was a progressive before that term became fashionable.

Dr Elsie Maud Inglis

Christine Jardine MP Ms Jardine, whose constituency includes Edinburgh Airport, pressed the Secretary of State for Transport on whether there are plans to protect airlines' rights to ly to the EU after Brexit and asked what discus‐ sions there had been on the fu‐ ture of the EU Open Skies policy - which is not part of trade agreements.

But the Liberal Democrat said she was disappointed at what she de‐ scribed as a 'fudged answer'.

She said: "Edinburgh Airport is one of the busiest international airports in the UK and a vital and growing hub for tourism and industry for Ed‐ inburgh, indeed much of Scotland.

"Continued access to the Open Skies policy after Brexit is essential to in‐ ternational connectivity." "hat Mr Grayling could only con‐ irmed that aviation was on the Gov‐ ernments radar but gave no further

information is simply not good enough. "he Open Skies Agreement allows any EU or US airline to ly between any point in the European Union or United States and continued access to this is essential for all of our air‐ ports.

"Conirmation that we will not crash out of these agreements is essential for the aviation industry and need to be a top priority in Brexit negoti‐ ations."

As convenor of culture in Edinburgh, I supported another 100th anniversary back in 2009, when there was the recreation of the 1909 Gude Cause suffrage proces‐ sion along Princes Street, which I believe Elsie played a part in organ‐ ising. hat was such a memorable day, when we sisters and a few brothers celebrated not just the ef‐ forts of those women in gaining the vote, but the changes we have seen in the 100 years since. he accompa‐ nying "Votes for Women" exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh-it was curated by another woman passion‐ ate about the history of the suffrage movement in Scotland, the excellent and late Helen Clark-was hugely suc‐ cessful and was extended by popular demand month after month.

Finally, the role Elsie Inglis and her contemporaries played in carving a path for me and other women to get

Jeremy Balfour Scottish Conservative MSP for Lothian attended the irst Holyrood reception to be held by the newly merged charity Arthritis Research UK, incorporating Arthritis Care Scotland, where he heard irsthand from people living with arthritis about the healthcare and support they need in Scotland.

Published 31 January 2018

5

"his part is the major hospital building on Lauriston Place, the very famous one with the big clock tower in the middle. We took a leaf from a London project at King's Cross. he thing that made that one work was having a college just be‐ hind it with 5,000 people going to and fro with a diversity of people. his is what this will be in Lauriston Place. here will be around 3,000 or so students there bringing life to Quartermile, which until now has been a bit monocultural. Its got some housing offices and shops with a little square in the middle but not much else. "he impact that a university build‐ ing will have here is that it will com‐ plete it. It will have a sense of buzz and youth and will help the area hugely. It is perhaps not what the original intention for the building was. Originally the developer thought this might be a hotel or more lats but I think it will be much better for the overall scheme and for the city."

Meeting Rab Bennetts

by Phyllis Stephen Here in Edinburgh we can be quite obsessed with its buildings and what is done with them to develop and put them to good use in the 21st century. It is per‐ haps a bit of a comfort to know that one of the major irms of architects involved with several big projects in the capital has many Edinburgh connections.

ROYAL INFIRMARY he irm is now involved with the re‐ furbishment of the former Royal In‐ irmary Surgical Department, which is the huge building opposite George Heriot's School. Bennetts admits it took a while before that kind of work came along. He said : "he irst building we designed in the town centre was he Potterrow develop‐

Not only does the company have a base here, the irm was co-founded

by Rab Bennetts OBE in 1987 with his partner Denise after they stud‐ ied together in Edinburgh.

Mr Bennetts now provides overall design direction to the irm which employs around 80 people here and in offices in London and Manchester. He is involved in re‐ search projects, is a member of many professional committees and is interested in construction educa‐ tion outside the irm. A co-founder of the UK Green Building Council, Rab is also a trustee of the Design Council and a director at Sadler's Wells heatre in London. In Edin‐ burgh they were commissioned on the Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory, Potterrow, the FloWave Test Facility and two signiicant buildings at Edinburgh Park. hey are also working on the Bayes Centre for the University of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Futures Institute

ment in 2003, but we are thrilled to have the new contract for the Edin‐ burgh Futures Institute. his is a huge job and we are really proud to be involved in it. "he building is the last piece of Quartermile that has not yet been properly developed, although there are a couple of vacant plots for resi‐ dential development in the centre of the site.

Bennetts explained that the work on the former hospital is already un‐ derway as planning permission has already been granted. He said : "What people will see at the mo‐ ment is stripping away all the bits that were added by the National Health Service, some of it was pretty awful! We are getting rid of some dry rot and asbestos, demolishing some extensions which were in the way of other things. he main con‐ tract to build new in amongst it and refurbishing the old wards and so on doesn't start till the end of summer 2018. hen it is a three year contract and we aim to have it inished by summer 2021 so that it is ready for the new term."

I asked if it would still feel like a hospital ward when the new offices are formed. We all have memories of the former wards with their lofty windows and polished loors.

Rab replied : "Well we all know it from the A&E entrance at the side.

At the moment if you peer through the gates all that you see is a big light of steps which is not political‐ ly correct at all as you can't get dis‐ abled access up to the main door of the building.

"What we are doing is putting a ramp in at the main entrance on Lauriston Place, getting rid of the gatehouse to open the view up. hat will be a new public square big enough for events and gatherings during the festival and other times.

Because it rises up slightly there is a huge events space underneath which will accommodate about 500 people. So in terms of its perception as a hospital it ought to feel like a building that has its own new char‐ acter, particularly at the entrance and in the central assembly in the building.

"When it comes to the wards, they will always have the shape of hospi‐ tal wards, but we are deinitely not trying to make them clinical. We are taking out the old ceilings that the NHS put in which had some air con‐ ditioning above. his will open the wards up to their full height again, opening the windows so that the of‐ ices can be naturally ventilated, and just allowing the spaces to be them‐ selves. hey won't be divided up too much as they will be open plan. So they will be recognisable as hospital wards, but these will be beautiful spaces.

"We are now two-thirds of the way through the architectural process but we have an oversight of the project after that. "here was already planning permis‐ sion in place for a hotel and then we had to change this with all the high standards for a Category A listed building like this. Some of the new buildings will be itted in around the older parts and they will it in very well." he full interview will be online on 10 February 2018.

6

Published 31 January 2018

concentrating on things like literacy.

I trained in Social Work and residen‐ tial care and in our department we work hand in hand with other teams across the council.

Meeting Lesley McMillan

"Our client list can be made up of up to 500 young people at any one time.Now we are working in this space which we are calling the Grass‐ market Room. It is gorgeous. I really like the hedge!

"We provide a really good service and our office space has up till now been quite homely. It worked for us, but this area will bring the service up to a whole new level.

"We will have group work and inde‐ pendent living skills courses here.

We have a washing machine here too, so the possibilities of showing young people a variety of life skills are endless.

Lesley McMillan is someone members of the general public may never have heard of, but believe me if you have visited any of the council's buildings recently you will have seen her work.

would be using the space, speaking to representatives from each trying to ind out what their needs were.

With this area it was necessary to create a very homely environment.

It is used for job clubs and is a place where people can get support ser‐ vices, so we needed to make a nice space with a less institutional feel.

But it is in a corporate building here at he City Chambers, so there is a balance to be struck." he space has been created with a lot of wood. Lesley explained this use of a natural palette was very de‐ liberate. She said : "I really like bio‐

there for this article so you can see for yourselves that really she does practice what she preaches. And an‐ other wall in the family space is made of Burmese teak which was re‐ claimed timber from a school gym hall. his was a deliberate attempt to make the area suit its users.

Lesley is rightly proud of the feature saying "Well a lot of younger people come in here so we were trying to make this space a bit more 'funky' for them!"

Most recently she has created a love‐ ly space in he City Chambers for the hroughcare and After Care ser‐ vice which is where we met up with her. his is now on the right hand side of the main entrance to the City Chambers and it is situated in a pre‐ viously underused space. he service is for young people who are in care or leaving care and offers them a transition to life after care, planning out where they will live and work as well as offering them guidance on their rights.

Lesley explained the design process : "We met with all the services who

"he service we provide is fantastic but this space will greatly add to it.

My staff team are bowled over with how this looks and it will help how our young people feel welcomed and valued."

Help with money If money is a source of stress, new free sessions run by the local church might be an answer to your prayers.

A new, eight-week course will start on 23 February 2018, to give people the conidence and decision-making skills to live well, look after them‐ selves and feel positive, even on a low income.

by Phyllis Stephen She describes herself as an interior designer, and she transforms the in‐ teriors of council buildings by adding splashes of colour where they are often most needed.

"We have a really successful Job Club running with partner agencies and we will be able to meet with young people here about jobs avail‐ able for them and help them apply.

We also work with young unaccom‐ panied asylum seekers which we have found an increasing problem in Edinburgh. We are only scratching the surface here, and some of these young people may have been victims of trafficking for example.

philic design ..... " Wait what on earth is that? Lesley laughed and explained it was really very simple. She said : "his is about bringing nature into the interior. It is proven that if you are outdoors then it raises your serotonin levels, making you happier and more re‐ laxed, so if you can do that to the in‐ side of a building then that can be beneicial." (here is a handy website http:// www.biophilicdesign.net) here is a whole wall in the family room which features a hedge. Well there is nothing more natural than a hedge! We photographed Lesley

THROUGHCARE AND AFTER‐ CARE SERVICE Colin McGinn is a Team Leader at hroughcare and Aftercare. He told us that this newly designed area will make a big difference to the work his team does.

He said : "We are responsible for looking after young people up to the age of 26 now. he approach I take is that I think about the age when peo‐ ple leave their parents, so this is all about steering young people to‐ wards the next stage of their lives. It can be a mineield.

"We have about 14 people in our team. We have dedicated workers

It will be run by Mustard Seed Edin‐ burgh, a recently established mis‐ sional church operating from St Margaret's Episcopal Church on Easter Road in the heart of Edin‐ burgh. his is the only church in the city trained with charity Christians Against Poverty to offer CAP Life Skills and it works in partnership with other churches across the city that offer other CAP services.

To ind out more: Call Mark on 07519 268800 or email markharris@caplifeskills.org or Call Rich on 07966165043 or email richard@mustardseededin‐ burgh.org

Power of Attorney Seminar Have you been appointed as some‐ one's attorney?

If you have then you may not be quite sure of your obligations. Lead‐ ing independent Scottish law irm Gillespie Macandrew is offering a free seminar in Edinburgh next month to help you out.

An increasing number of people in Scotland grant Powers of Attorney (PoA) giving chosen relatives, friends or professionals power to make decisions and act in matters of inance and personal welfare on their behalf if they become inca‐ pable of making such decisions themselves.

Often people who are appointed as Attorneys have questions about what they should be doing.

Some of these questions include: • How do people prove they have been appointed as Attor‐ ney?

• How does someone assume the duties and responsibilities?

• What rights and responsibili‐ ties does an Attorney have?

• How do they exercise these?

• What are the rules and guid‐ ance in place for Attorneys? he Edinburgh seminar will be held at Gillespie Macandrew's Edinburgh office at 5 Atholl Crescent on 22 February 2018 from 5.30pm-8pm.

Elspeth Paget, Head of Private Client at Gillespie Macandrew, said: "Granting a Power of Attorney shouldn't be a scary thought or something that's purely associated with older people.

"What people don't realise is that having a PoA can save a lot of time and money, especially if someone becomes incapacitated due to either mental or physical deterioration, or both. Appointing an Attorney allows choice in who can deal with your af‐ fairs. If capacity is lost in the future and there is no PoA in place, the al‐ ternative is an application to the Sheriff Court for an Intervention Order or Guardianship order which can take months and possibly cost thousands of pounds. he aim of the seminar is to provide an opportunity for those who have been appointed as attorneys to hear the answers to these questions (and ask others!) from a team of friendly solicitors in an informal setting.

If you have been appointed as an At‐ torney or have granted a Power of Attorney and would like to attend the seminar contact megan.mc‐ connell@gillespiemacandrew.co.uk.

Published 31 January 2018

7

Apply now for What's On Edinburgh Book Supper Club at Valvona & 19 Elm Row EH7 4AA | 22 College grants Crolla February 2018 | 6.30-8.30pm

Electric Eagle

Employers given more time to apply for up to £10,000 worth of training at Edinburgh College Scottish businesses still have time to apply for up to £10,000 worth of training at Edinburgh College as part of a new scheme developed by the Scottish Government and Scot‐ tish Funding Council. he deadline for applications to the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) - which provides eligi‐ ble employers with up to £10,000 worth of training from their local college, to upskill and reskill their existing workforce - has been ex‐ tended to 28 February 2018.

by Phyllis Stephen In an effort to become even more sustainable city-based Eagle Couriers have just bought their irst plug-in hybrid vehicle hey hope that this will help reduce the emissions which their vehi‐ cles produce and so reduce their carbon footprint.

Eagle Couriers are Scotland's largest independent courier business and with sustainability at its core they have used electric bikes since 2012 and they recycle tyres, oil and the pallets used each year.

Now they have tried out electric ve‐ hicles but found that the full electric vehicles did not work for them as well as the hybrid which they have now purchased. hey have acquired a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV just month after meeting with the Transport Minister Humza Yousaf to discuss how electric vehicles could be used by Scottish businesses. hroughout Eagle Couriers' many trials the vehicles have not yet met with the demands of the fast-paced business, burdened by lengthy charging times and limited range. he recently purchased Mitsubishi Outlander PHEC has a 33-mile elec‐ tric range as well as up to 166 miles per gallon combined range - able to switch back to petrol for longer jour‐ neys often required by couriers.

Fiona Deas, Co-Director with Bath‐ gate headquartered Eagle Couriers, said: "We've always been very aware of our responsibility as a courier irm with a comparatively large number of vehicles.

"For us however, the new technolo‐ gy simply had to make businesssense, which was the core of our dis‐ cussions with Mr Yousaf earlier this year.

"While full-electric vehicles still don't have the range or fast enough charging to meet the demands of the business, we are getting incre‐ mentally closer. "his investment in the plug-in hy‐ brid however gets us that bit nearer to our dream of moving from diesel or petrol dependent vehicles."

Jerry Stewart, Co-Director at Eagle Couriers, said: "Considering the en‐ vironment in the day to day running of the business in one of Eagle Couriers' core philosophies.

"Having a leet full of pure electric vehicles is our dream, but it is one that will take some time to get to.

"Our drivers can travel great dis‐ tances in a day and pure electric ve‐ hicles simply don't have the range. hey also require charging, which takes a minimum of 30 minutes and charging stations are still sparse in many areas of the country."

Following his visit to the irm in June, Transport Minister Humza Yousaf, said: "I am encouraged by Eagle Couriers' green ethos and its desire to add more low carbon vehi‐ cles to its growing leet in the future. "he Scottish Government is com‐ mitted to meeting its ambitious cli‐ mate change targets so that Scot‐ land's people and environment can be freed from harmful vehicle emis‐ sions and breathe cleaner air by 2050.

"We continue to work with our part‐ ners to encourage the introduction of incentives such as allowing elec‐ tric vehicles in bus lanes or offering them free parking through the Ener‐ gy Saving Trust."

Puppy Love Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is looking for volunteers to help train their VIPs (Very Important Puppies) become fully-ledged hearing dogs.

One in six people in the UK have hearing loss and the loneliness, iso‐ lation and depression which can re‐ sult from it might be changed by having a dog. his means that deaf people can be alerted to sounds and signals such as the doorbell, tele‐ phone and smoke alarms. he volunteers commit to having a puppy for a year throughout to so‐ cialise the dog before its real train‐ ing begins.

Victoria Leedham, Volunteering Manager at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said: "Being a puppy socialis‐ er is an incredibly rewarding and satisfying experience; these very special volunteers are fundamental to what we do. Quite simply - Hear‐ ing Dogs would not exist without them. It's also a fantastic opportuni‐ ty to learn or improve your dogtraining skills - and meet lots of new friends along the way!"

Diana Harkiss, local Hearing Dog Volunteer for two years, who is cur‐ rently a Volunteer dog trainer, said: "I became a Volunteer with Hearing Dogs because I love dogs and was in‐ trigued by the prospect of training a puppy. Being a Volunteer, you really feel part of the Hearing Dogs family; I have made tons of new friends. I would recommend anyone consider‐ ing becoming a Volunteer to do so. he charity gives you excellent sup‐ port and training so you will learn lots as well as your puppy. It is one of the most rewarding things you can do."

Edinburgh College works in partner‐ ship with individuals and organisa‐ tions from all sectors to develop and deliver a wide range of training pro‐ grammes in areas including Health and Safety, Gas, Electrical, Sport and Fitness, Construction, Creative Industries, Hospitality and Business. he scheme enables businesses to offer employees access to lexible training and skills development op‐ portunities available at the college, and aims to support inclusive eco‐ nomic growth.

Edinburgh College head of Commer‐ cial Development Jane Grant said: "At Edinburgh College we're provid‐ ing a service to meet the training needs of Scotland's businesses. he Flexible Workforce Development Fund gives employers an opportuni‐ ty to put employees through courses which will enhance their skills and address skills gaps. he deadline ex‐ tension means eligible businesses have more time to get in touch with the college to ind out more about the opportunities available to them." he college will work with employ‐ ers to identify training needs that will make a demonstrable return on investment. he FWDF was developed in line with the Scottish Government's 2016 consultation on the UK Gov‐ ernment's Apprenticeship Levy. It is available to all levy-paying employ‐ ers in Scotland across the private, public and third sector, and will be led by employer demand.

Find out more about training cour‐ ses available at Edinburgh College.

For more information and to start your application, please contact Ed‐ inburgh College's Business Develop‐ ment team on 0131 535 4800 or email enterprise@edinburghcol‐ lege.ac.uk

Valvona & Crolla are delighted to host an evening with bestselling crime writer Val McDermid to cele‐ brate the paperback publication of her pulse-pounding novel Insidious Intent.

Signed copies available with 10% discount. £25 for 2 courses with a glass of wine t 0131 556 6066 sales@valvonacrol‐ la.co.uk

Edinburgh Restaurant Festival 2018 is back from 5 -25 February for more foodie fun! his is the fourth year in the Capital's city centre, with the focus on international cuisine, worldclass service and Scottish hospitality. here are special tasting menus, as well as ideas for cooking at home with chefs' tips. he main event is the ticketed four-course Moveable Feast, when diners travel to four very different restaurants, enjoying a course in each, sampling the very best of what Edinburgh's thriving dining scene has to of‐ fer.

New to the Festival this year, will be he Secret Dining Experi‐ ence where diners will sample delicious food in an unusual and surprising setting.

he Power of Food Festival will be on 16 - 17 June 2018.

Registration is open for community food gardens and external contribu‐ tors wanting to take part. hey are also looking for people to offer free entertainment over the weekend and need volunteers to help with the organisation. he Festival is a weekend event when community food gardens in and around Edinburgh throw their gates open and invite the general public to go and explore, hear their stories, be inspired and entertained.

Since the launch in 2015, 40 gar‐ dens have participated in the Festi‐ val.

You can read more about he Power of Food Festival on our website where we feature their podcast and videos.

8

Published 31 January 2018

Visitors can also enjoy several way‐ marked walks with stunning views across the Ettrick Valley as well as the beautiful gardens. he estate is not accessible by public transport however so a taxi would be required to visit although occa‐ sionally a bus runs from Galashiels Exchange for visitors who have prebooked.

Fifteen miles away but accessible via public transport is Jedburgh Abbey which was founded by David I in around 1138 for Augustinian canons.

Visitors can explore the abbey along with its visitor centre and surround‐ ing herb garden with aromatic plants and a stone display at the west end. he church was built in the Ro‐ manesque and early Gothic styles and is remarkably complete. Jed‐ burgh Abbey's close location to the English border meant it was fre‐ quently targeted by invading border armies.

Remains of the cloister buildings have been uncovered and inds from the excavations, including the 12th century 'Jedburgh comb' and an eighth century shrine are on display.

53rd Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition Friday 19 January to Sunday 29 April 2018 National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh nms.ac.uk/wpy #WPY53 he world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, returns to Edinburgh at the National Museum of Scotland. Taking over the Museum's largest exhibition gallery for the irst time, this will be the only Scottish venue for the exhibition. he 100 extraordinary images celebrate the diversity of the natural world, from intimate animal portraits to astonishing wild landscapes. Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases the natural world's most astonishing and challenging sights for over 50 years. Winning images are selected for their creativity, originality and technical excellence. Launching in 1965 and attracting 361 entries, today the competition receives almost 50,000 entries from 92 countries highlighting its enduring appeal. his year's 100 award-winning images will embark on an international tour that allows them to be seen by millions of people. Photo Neil Hanna

Sales at Bonhams

Home and Interiors

Visiting the Borders

7 March 2018

by John Hislop

Whisky Sale

he Scottish Borders contain a wealth of tourist attractions which have now become much more acces‐ sible from Edinburgh due to the reopening of part of the old Waverley Route rail line two years ago, and the Edinburgh Reporter highlights a number of the more popular venues for the beneit of readers who haven't yet sampled what the region has to offer.

21 Feb 2018

21 March 2018 Asian Art 25-26 April 2018 he Scottish Sale Bonhams 22 Queen Street | EH2 1JX | t 0131 225 2266

On 9 September 2015, the Borders Railway was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the day she became Great Britain's long‐ est serving monarch and trains now run every half hour between Waver‐ ley Station and Tweedbank costing just over £10 return off peak with a running time of 55 minutes.

Scan this QR code with a smartphone to go to our website

he route was named after the nov‐ els of the same name by Sir Walter Scott whose stories were set in the surrounding countryside and coinci‐ dentally the last stop at Tweedbank is within walking distance of Scott's home at Abbotsford which is situat‐ ed on the banks of the River Tweed.

his historic house was the culmina‐ tion of Scott's creative ambitions as a writer and visitors can explore the interior and discover a treasure trove of intriguing objects and un‐ usual artefacts as well as learning about Scott's life and achievements.

Afterwards they can browse the gift shop, dine in style in the restaurant or simply relax and unwind in the beautiful formal gardens and tran‐ quil woodlands.

Also nearby is Melrose Abbey which is probably the most famous ruin in Scotland. It was founded by David I in 1136 for the Cistercian Order, and it was largely destroyed by Richard II's English army in 1385. he surviving remains of the church are of the early 15th century, and are of an elegance unsurpassed in Scotland. he Abbey is also thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart, marked with a commemora‐ tive carved stone plaque within the grounds. he church, cloister and museum grounds are suitable for visitors us‐ ing wheelchairs or those with limit‐ ed mobility. Audio tour tapes are available, including a version for vis‐ itors with learning difficulties.

A short taxi ride from Tweedbank lies the historic ruins of Dryburgh

Abbey which was irst established in 1150 and became the premier house in Scotland of the Premonstraten‐ sian order.

Despite having been set on ire three times, the chapter house features paintwork that dates back to its con‐ struction and today boasts some of the best Gothic architecture in Scot‐ land.

Access to the property is through the main gates. It is a lat approach to the abbey, which can be entered without using steps. Most of the abbey, apart from the cloisters, is ac‐ cessible. he town of Selkirk is only a few miles away and visitors can see where Sir Walter Scott dispensed justice to the people of the county during his time as a sheriff in the old courthouse museum and dis‐ plays tell the story of James Hogg the Ettrick Shepherd.

On the outskirts of the town sits Bowhill House, the home of the 10th Duke of Buccleuch.

Bowhill houses one of the world's greatest private art collections with paintings by Canaletto, Raeburn, Reynolds and Gainsborough along‐ side beautiful French furniture, Mortlake Tapestries, antique porce‐ lain and portrait miniatures.

he visitor centre and part of the church through the cemetery are ac‐ cessible to those using wheelchairs but there are steps to the herb gar‐ den and cloisters. Interpretation boards are at a good height and there is a video in the visitor centre.

Visitors can also take in Jedburgh Castle Jail which is the only remain‐ ing example in Scotland of a Howard Reform Prison. Built in 1820, the museum illustrates the history of Jedburgh and prison life in recon‐ structed rooms using audio visual period artefacts.

In addition, the Mary Queen of Scots Visitor Centre is located in a 16th century tower house where the monarch stayed during a visit to the town in October 1566 where she be‐ came seriously ill after riding to Hermitage Castle to visit Bothwell, her supposed lover.

A collection of objects associated with Mary are on display including letters which reveals her inal thoughts.

Rugby fans can take in a game at the famous Greenyards in Melrose where the 7-a-side version of the game was invented in 1883 by Ned Haig, a local butcher while those who prefer the round ball can watch Gala Fairydean Rovers in the Scot‐ tish Lowland League at their famous Netherdale stadium.

(John is a guide at Bowhill House so for a great day out head for Bowhill!

Ed)

Published 31 January 2018

9

Books – Living with Shadows: Making the Pieces Fit

by Rosemary Kaye May 1915: Gallipoli. he war that would be 'over by Christmas (1914)' has now been raging for 10 months.

An Allied force of 70,000 men has been sent to attack the Ottoman Empire. British, French, Australian and New Zealander soldiers have launched an amphibious assault on the Turkish peninsula in an attempt to take the city of Constantinople.

In the hot, insanitary conditions, the wounded are just part of the hu‐ manitarian problem; dysentery, sun‐ stroke, synovitis, impetigo, nerves, hernia, blood poisoning, pleurisy, colic, phlebitis and tonsillitis also rage, and men too sick to ight must be evacuated. he wounded, sick and dying wait on the beaches for small boats to come and take them out to hospital ships. he ships take them 850 miles across the Mediterranean to Malta, Egypt or Lemnos. During the course of the campaign 57,900 men are treated in Malta alone. hose British men who survive are eventually repatriated to the UK. 91 years later, in 2006, at her daughter Rebecca's wedding, a fami‐ ly friend presents Edinburgh author Joan Rowe with a diary. It is, he says, 'a tatty old thing' that has been found in Rebecca's great aunt's house and given to him by Rebecca's father. he diary has been written

by Albert Anderson, who, with Re‐ becca's great uncle Alfred Charles Rowe, joined the Royal Navy in 1912 at the age of 18. Albert and Alfred were members of the crew of HMS Goliath, one of the ships sent to as‐ sist in operations in the Dardanelles. On the night of 13th May Goliath was struck by three tor‐ pedoes from the Ottoman destroyer Muâvenet-i Millîye and sunk in just four minutes. here were few sur‐ vivors and Alfred Charles Rowe was not among them.

Joan is so moved by the sight of Al‐ fred's death certiicate, which reads simply 'cause of death: war work', that she knows she has to write about what happened on that fate‐ ful night. She also wants to examine

the role of the hospital ships, the nurses who staffed them, and the clergy who accompanied the men on their journeys. Coming from a mili‐ tary family herself, Joan under‐ stands too how difficult life is for the wives and children who can only wait for news of their husbands and fathers 'We never knew if my father would come back alive.'

Joan spoke about her latest book Living with Shadows: Making the Pieces Fit at Morningside Library in January. She illustrated her fasci‐ nating talk with images of many original photographs, letters and pa‐ pers; she also served up delicious biscuits, made by her son-in-law David Weir to a recipe found in a Women's Institute wartime cookery book!

Records show that of the 700 men on HMS Goliath, only 130 survived.

Over 5,000 clergymen - many of them with no training for the battle‐ ield - served during the First World War, irst behind the lines but later at the Front; 168 died. Joan decided to take the story of a priest who died on Goliath and write about him as if he had lived. he ictional Reverend Crispen Hon‐ eybourn is well out of his comfort zone on board ship; 'It was a far cry from his anticipated country parsonage in England.'

In the chaos all around him Crispen feels embarrassed by his fear and nausea. He loses count of the num‐ ber of land and sea burials he has arranged; 'How could he speak of a merciful God? He could not bring himself to acknowledge the so-called "glory of war"' Crispen is befriended by a nurse who shows him kindness. Many of the nurses on hospital ships were very young; they had joined up sim‐ ply to escape the poverty of family life in the slums of London and oth‐ er large cities (a good number were from Scotland). At home they would have 'gone into service' as soon as

they could be taken out of school by comparison, nursing seemed de‐ sirable and exciting. Joan describes their lives on board ship and in the 27 military hospitals in Malta, where 57,991 men were treated over the course of the campaign. Local people welcomed the less seriously injured into their own homes, and many buildings were eventually turned into convalescent hospitals and recreational centres for the troops. Eventually the men were put on 'ambulance trains' bound for Wa‐ terloo Station in London; there - if they were lucky - their families wait‐ ed. he journeys on these trains were far from comfortable - compart‐ ments were itted with 3-tier bunks, and there were no lavatories. Mal‐ nourished, sick and bleeding men were cooped up together; there were no corridors and nurses had to jump in and out of the doors to tend to the men. Once they arrived in the capital, patients were dispersed to various hospitals. hose suffering from mental illnesses were always at the back of the queue.

Crispen Honeybourn tries to help an unidentiied soldier who can't re‐ member who he is. Patient 355, who has neither uniform nor identity pa‐ pers, has been badly injured and is suffering from amnesia and terrible lashbacks. In World War One there was little understanding of mental illnesses, and although pioneering work was carried out at Craiglock‐ hart War Hospital, this sanctuary was for officers only (its most fa‐ mous patients being Siegfried Sas‐ soon and Wilfred Owen) - the ordi‐ nary ranks were simply nursed back to some sort of physical health and sent back to the Front. If they could not cope they were often shot for 'cowardice'. hrough Patient 355's story, Joan focuses on the plight of these shell-shocked, traumatised men - whose terrible ordeals are

even today sometimes ignored.

Asked about the challenges of writ‐ ing her books, Joan explained that she always researches her subjects meticulously. For Living with Shad‐ ows she visited Dartmouth and oth‐ er military colleges, York Railway Museum (which has a fully kitted out ambulance train on display) and an exhibition about World War One nursing at the Royal College of Nursing here in Edinburgh. he lat‐ ter included examples of contempo‐ rary medicines and dressings - and a huge bottle of tannic acid, which was, Joan discovered to her horror, used to strip away burnt skin.

Only once her research is complete does Joan make a plan of the book.

She then creates her characters, writing a study of each one and giv‐ ing them family, friends, jobs and interests. his, she says, helps her to know how they will interact with one another in her story. Finally, she starts to write! Living with Shadows took her two years to write.

After much dithering, Lord Kitchen‐ er inally ordered the evacuation of Gallipoli in early December 1915. he Allied attempt at securing a pas‐ sage through the Dardanelles had proved unsuccessful, but over 100,000 men (mainly Ottoman, British, French, Australian and New Zealanders) had died. Many have been forgotten, but in continuing the work she began in her 2013 nov‐ el Duty, Joan Rowe has written a it‐ ting memorial to Alfred Charles Rowe - to the men who died with him, and to those who survived the war but suffered its aftermath for the rest of their lives. ******************** Living with Shadows: Making the Pieces Fit by Joan Rowe, published

by Troubadour Publishing Ltd (www.troubadour.co.uk), is avail‐

able from the publishers direct for £9.99 + £2.95 p & p; it can also be ordered at any bookshop. he Royal College of Nursing, Scotland HQ, is at 42 South Os‐ wald Road, EH9 2HH. Its current ex‐ hibition is For Queen and Country Nursing, Trauma and War. Open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday until 30 March: admission free. he National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ, is open daily 10am-5pm. Admission is free. Its exhibition Ambulance Trains brings this little-known story to life through digital projection, ilm and sound. You can delve into moving stories of staff and passengers told in their own words, through rarely seen wartime letters, diaries, pho‐ tographs and drawings, and take a trip on an ambulance train to get a glimpse of life on board. Admission free. he War Poets Collection at Napi‐ er University's Craiglockhart cam‐ pus brings visitors face to face with the horrors and unfaltering cama‐ raderie of trench warfare, and the effects of the First World War on the minds and bodies of those men who fought. he exhibition provides a glimpse into the minds of the poets, patients and medical staff at Craiglockhart, using contemporary photographs, books, ilm, audio and memorabilia. It offers a unique in‐ sight into the motivations of Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen and a greater understanding of the important personal, social and med‐ ical achievements that occurred at Craiglockhart. Open 9-5 Monday to Friday, 10-4 weekends (hours may vary during university and public holidays - call 0131 455 4260 for further information.)

10

Published 31 January 2018

John Kennedy - Capital Critic

actual lines, can time the pauses with utter professsionalism - he has much to answer for. 'Unbelievable, unprecedented, unique, jaw-drop‐ ping' - just some of the superlatives extracted from 2017 critics under threat of being invited to review the 2018 tour.

Never has ambiguity been exploited so far and by so much. Never has the hallowed thespian ethos been so challenged. Never have the piteous cries of 'Never again come and wreak havoc on our theatres!' been so plaintively uttered. But still they come.

by John Kennedy here is always something great to see at the King's and Festival heatres. Here I preview some of the coming attractions!

PRESSURE King's heatre | 13-17 February D Day, June 1944.

Choreographed and directed by Northern Ballet's Artistic Director, David Nixon OBE, his most recent creations for the company include hits Cinderella, he Great Gatsby and Beauty & the Beast. he new production immerses audi‐ ences in the mystical underwater world of Andersen's famous fable with designs by Kimie Nakano (sets), Tim Mitchell (lighting) and David Nixon OBE (costumes). he production also features an original

scribed performance and touch tour for visually-impaired patrons.

Ballet Hispánico Performs the UK Debut of CARMEN.maquia and Linea Recta | Festival heatre | 6 to 10 March 2018

par tner ing , Gustavo R amírez Sansano's CARMEN.maquia is a bold and electrifying reimagining of this tragic tale. he evening begins with Linea Recta, in which Annabelle Lopez Ochoa imagines an original and ex‐ plosive movement language premised upon the theme of part‐ nership and performed to lamenco guitar by Eric Vaarzon Morel.

1974. he UK faces economic crisis and a hung parliament.

350,000 lives depend on the most important weather forecast of all time.

Northern Ballet presents THE LITTLE MERMAID Festival heatre Edinburgh | 22 24 March 2018 Northern Ballet brings the Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale to Edinburgh on the inal leg of its tour. Telling the story of a young mermaid who is willing to give up everything she knows in the search for love, the Leeds-based company returns to Edinburgh with perfor‐ mances of this new ballet at Festival heatre in March.

score by Sally Beamish.

temporary dance to Edinburgh.

David Nixon OBE, Artistic Director at Northern Ballet, said: 'he Little Mermaid is an enchanting story and the fantastical underwater world of the mermaids evokes such beautiful imagery. So many people have grown up with this classic tale and so I am looking forward to bringing this new production to Scotland for the irst time and reintroducing our audience to the world beyond the waves.'

Don't miss the UK debut of Ballet Hispánico performing CARMEN.‐ maquia, a Picasso-inspired, contem‐ porary take on Bizet's beloved clas‐ sic, and Linea Recta.

Northern Ballet is holding addition‐ al events at the theatre including a pre-show talk as well as an audio-de‐

Causing further chaos nationwide, Olivier Award winning West End lit‐ erally smash-hit comedy TPTGW is back again.

Ballet Hispánico, the US premiere Latino dance organization, brings its bold and eclectic brand of con‐ THIS HOUSE directed by Jeremy Herrin | Festival heatre |27 - 31 March 2018

Based on the remarkable real-life tale of two warring Allied meteorol‐ ogists tasked with predicting the weather conditions for the D Day landings, David Haig's acclaimed play Pressure will play at he King's heatre this February..

Undaunted, irrepressible ever putting the cathartic before the hoarse voiced throngs begging them to shuffle-off their mortal coils out of mercy for humanity.

he physically charged and sensual choreography in CARMEN.maquia fuses contemporary dance with nods to the Spanish paso doble and lamenco. A stunning set design by Luis Crespo and minimalist blackand-white costumes by David Delin evoke the paintings of Pablo Picasso.

Highly original and full of elaborate

In a culture hostile to cooperation, it's a period when votes are won or lost by one, when there are ist ights in the bars and when sick MPs are carried through the lobby to reg‐ ister their vote. It's a time when a staggering number of politicians die, and the building creaks under idiosyncrasies and arcane traditions.

Set in the engine rooms of Westmin‐ ster, his House strips politics down to the practical realities of those be‐ hind the scenes; the whips who roll up their sleeves and on occasion bend the rules to shepherd and co‐ erce a diverse chorus of MPs within the Mother of all parliaments.

James Graham's critically acclaimed and prescient political drama THIS HOUSE which played to sold-out houses at the National heatre, Chichester Festival heatre and in the West End will begins its irst ever UK tour with dates at Festival heatre Edinburgh (27 - 31 March).

he Play hat Goes Wrong | Fes‐ tival heatre |12 - 17 March 2018 DISCLAIMER - he Edinburgh Re‐ porter accepts no liability for in‐ juries sustained through audiences laughing themselves in to apoplectic stupor.

Creator of the 'Art Of Coarse' series, Michael Green, deined a Coarse Ac‐ tor as one whom whilst having a pathological aversion to leaning his

At he Royal Lyceum 15 Feb to 10 March 2018 he Belles Stratagem by Hannah Cowley adapted and directed by Tony Cownie A witty riposte to Farquhar's he Beaux Stratagem, Hannah Cowley's rediscovered gem turns the tables on the farcical goings-on and has the women coming out on top.

We ind ourselves in Georgian Edin‐ burgh where the elegant New Town is springing up all around, and the newly opened Assembly Rooms are the centre of social life and romantic intrigue. Despite being betrothed to him since birth, Letitia Hardy inds herself out of favour with the charming and arrogant Doricourt upon his return from Europe, as he declares that continental woman are so much more sophisticated than 'dull Scottish lassies'.

Determined not to marry without love, Letitia formulates a hilarious plan to capture his attention: behave so badly that he calls off the wed‐ ding, and then seduce him in dis‐ guise! Meanwhile, Doricourt's close friend Sir George, has a beautiful new wife, the country-born Lady Frances. Escaping his overprotective gaze for an afternoon, she draws the attention of the rake, Courtall, who vows to seduce her.

Anticipate Tony Cownie's adapta‐ tion having all the wit, mischief and sumptuous design audiences have come to expect from his ebullient re‐ cent productions at he Lyceum, he Venetian Twins and hon Man Molière.

Published 31 January 2018

11

At the National Museum of Scotland until 25 February 2018. Discover the story of Scotland's early silver and how this precious metal helped to shape the irst kingdoms of Scotland. Today gold is more valuable than silver, but in the irst millennium AD silver was the most powerful material in Scotland. Scotland's earliest silver arrived with the Roman army and had a lasting impact on local society, quickly becoming associated with prestige and power.

2018 reprints of Muriel Sparks' novels All 22 novels written by Muriel Spark are being re-published this year by Polygon, an imprint of Bir‐ linn ltd.

Each novel will be published in a striking and collectable hardback centenary edition, carrying a series preface by editor, Alan Taylor, and an introduction by such well-known writers or critics as Ali Smith, William Boyd, Alexander McCall Smith, Candia McWilliam, James Wood, Andrew O'Hagan, Joseph Kanon, Zoë Strachan, Allan Massie, Kapka Kassabova, Dan Gunn Ian Rankin and Richard Holloway. he project is supported by Creative Scotland and he Muriel Spark Soci‐ ety. he irst four novels - he Comforters, Robinson, Memento Mori, and he Ballad of Peckham Rye - are being published in November 2017 and the rest will be published this year. A Far Cry From Kensington will be released early in January, with the next four - he Bachelors, he Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, he Girls of Slender Means, he Mandelbaum Gate - on the anniversary itself, Jan Rutherford, Birlinn Ltd said : "he Polygon team are delighted to republish all 22 of Muriel Spark's quite perfect novels in striking, col‐ lectable, affordable editions. With the support of Creative Scotland and the Muriel Spark Society, and the drive of series editor, Alan Tay‐ lor, all of them are being re-issued

by Polygon between November 2017 and September 2018, putting her writing exactly where it should be right at the heart of the celebrations for her centenary."

Alan Taylor added: "Everyone knows that Muriel Spark was the author of he Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which is undoubtedly one of the 20th cen‐ tury's great works of iction. What too few people also know is that she wrote 21 other novels, all of which are infused with her trademark blend of fun and profundity, original thinking and peerless style.

"Now, for the irst time, readers have the opportunity to read Spark at her sparkling best, in a uniform, covetable, hardback edition which even those of slender means can af‐ ford."

Each hardback book is priced at £9.99

Songs for Winter An exhibition exploring the work of artists Pauline Burbidge and Charles Poulsen runs at Edinburgh's City Art Centre until 4 March 2018. We would heartily recommend that you pop by before it closes. he work by the two artists is quite different. but complimentary as they both get in‐ spiration from the landscape and where they live.

Drawing is at the heart of both Pauline and Charlie's practice. Char‐ lie makes large scale drawings on pa‐ per and sculpture which he de‐ scribes as 3D drawings. Pauline thinks of her stitching as drawn lines and also draws directly onto the fabric. Both artists connect

strongly with an abstract vision.

Charlie's work is more about energy than any particular subject matter, the invisible forces and energies within the earth which are bound into the square of the drawing where the marks are interwoven in a lattice of lines. He uses a combina‐ tion of pencil, wax and gouache, in works on paper, lead, wood, wax and growing / training trees, in his sculpture.

When aged 25, Pauline was moved when viewing an exhibition of an‐ tique quilts to consider mixing it with her art school practice of draw‐ ing, colour, line, and abstraction.

Add in a love of the rural landscape, the natural world and the spirituali‐ ty of a special place and it creates a sense of her current work, now over two decades later.

Pauline's work has been purchased by the major museums of the UK and major USA collections. It re‐ lects the growth and seasonal changes within the natural world and rural landscape. She uses ine cottons & silks, and has developed the use of mono print and cyan‐ otype print in her recent pieces. Her long career has connected with the tradition of quiltmaking, yet her im‐ ages are far from traditional. She has always pursued her own unique and individual path.

open up each year for a four-day event, Charlie & Pauline's OPEN STUDIO Songs for Winter shows the diversi‐ ty and unity of their work which comes together here in this exhibi‐ tion and every year in their OPEN STUDIO. Operated by he City of Edinburgh Council, the City Art Centre is home to the Capital's nationally recog‐ nised collection of historic and con‐ temporary Scottish art.

Councillor Donald Wilson, Edin‐ burgh's Convener of Culture and Communities, said:"his free exhi‐ bition showcases a large selection of sculpture, drawings, sketchbooks, textiles and quilts relecting the hugely talented creative force that is Pauline Burbidge and Charles Poulsen. We are delighted to wel‐ come the husband and wife's Scot‐ tish Borders practice to Edinburgh's City Art Centre for this specially cu‐ rated display, which will appeal to

24 years ago Charles and Pauline settled in the Borders, turning a set of farm buildings an hour south east of Edinburgh, Allanbank Mill Steading into their home and stu‐ dios.

It is an inspiring house, garden and working environment which they

Charles Poulsen

anyone with a love of beautifully made contemporary Scottish art and textiles. Our gallery is a space to cel‐ ebrate and admire local and in‐ ternational art over the generations.

Songs for Winter is a stunning, fresh addition to what is a packed winter programme at the Council's Muse‐ ums and Galleries."

City Art Centre Curator, David Patterson, added: "We are really delighted to be showing the work of this exceptional partnership. When Charlie and Pauline irst approached us some years ago, we were all taken by the quality of their work and the special environment in which it is created. heir annual Open Studio has become a much-loved event in the Scottish Borders artistic calen‐ dar, where they showcase their spe‐ cial home and studio alongside in‐ vited artists. Hopefully we've brought some of that uniqueness into the gallery."

City Art Centre | 2 Market Street | EH1 1DE

12

Published 31 January 2018

MUSIC

he Edinburgh Quartet will play at he Queen's Hall on 18 March 2018.

yearning that calls to mind some of the best of the Proclaimers.

Haydn: String Quartet in B lat Op 76 No 4 "Sunrise" Bartók: String Quartet No 6 Dvorák: String Quartet No 14 in A lat major, Op 105

hey play Edinburgh's Caves on 18 March, as part of a Scottish spring tour, before headlining at HebCelt and Belladrum festivals..

Continuing the Quartet's "NorthSouth-East-West" project, this con‐ cert alludes to the East through Haydn's "Sunrise" quartet, nick‐ named after the glorious rising theme that begins the quartet, as well as by featuring works by two of Eastern Europe's most eminent composers. As the inal string quar‐ tets of Haydn, Bartók and Dvorák, this programme celebrates three masters of the genre at the top of their game.

Tide Lines |he Caves | 18 March 2018 Formed in 2016, Tide Lines are a phenomenal Scottish success story.

While their music is heavily inlu‐ enced by, and rooted in, the High‐ land places they grew up, they pro‐ duce a highly eclectic sound.

Early booking is highly recommend‐ ed - this band sells out FAST!

Square One (with Andy Middle‐ ton) |he Jazz bar - 13 March 2018

Dean Owens Born in Harrisburg, PA, Andy Mid‐ dleton is one of the very top-tier saxophonists living in Europe today.

Imaginative and adventurous virtu‐ osity spans an incredibly wide breadth of expression - from ierce power to tender warmth, lyrical yet

Award-winning Scottish quartet Square One are delighted to an‐ nounce a short Scottish tour in Spring 2018, including Edinburgh's Jazz Bar on Wednesday 13 March 2018.

With very special guest, US sax vir‐ tuoso Andy Middleton, this promis‐ es to be a dynamic blend of youth and experience, and an unmissable experience.

Imagine a 70's Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street band, but with bag‐ pipes and electronics, and you're probably just about there!

Initially formed by ex-Skipinnish members Robert Robertson (singer) and Ross Wilson (piano), Tide Lines emerged just over a year ago with the addition of Alasdair Turner (gui‐ tar & bagpipes) and Fergus Munro (drums).

Andy Middleton

rhythmically driving, masterful and inspired. He has toured and collabo‐ rated with a host of top jazz names, including Ralph Towner, Kenny Wheeler, Billy Hart, Maria Schnei‐ der and Lionel Hampton.

creative musician with a really unique voice as a saxophonist and composer. We're really looking for‐ ward to bringing this new music to Scottish audiences."

Made up of some of Scotland's inest emerging jazz musicians, Square One are known for their heavy-hit‐ ting melodic compositions and ener‐ gised live performances. Whilst their music blends folk-inspired lyri‐ cism with a gritty rock edge, it is an intelligent musical rapport that makes this powerhouse of Scottish jazz talent more than the sum of all these parts.

Dean Owens will launch his new album -Southern Wind - on 16 February 2018

Square One's Joe Williamson says: "It's really exciting to be collaborat‐ ing with Andy - he's an incredibly

Leither Dean Owens recorded South‐ ern Wind in Nashville with the same team as his acclaimed Into the Sea al‐ bum, including producer Neilson Hubbard (whose recent clients in‐ clude John Prine and Jason Isbell) and award winning guitarist Will Kimbrough (Emmylou Harris's guia‐ trist of choice on the road).

Released on At he Helm Records it's already receiving critical plaudits (including a 4 star review in Mojo) and claims of "best yet". Put togeth‐ er with a crack team of Nashville musicians, it takes his music in a new direction - a swampy slice of southern rock and soul, which has drawn comparisons with Richard Ashcroft and Little Feat.

Dean is widely regarded as one Scot‐ land's inest singer/songwriters, with fans including Bob Harris, Irvine Welsh and Russell Brand.

Armed with a searingly soulful voice, skilfully crafted stories and earworm inducing melodies, he is a compelling and engaging performer, with an emotional hurricane of sto‐ ries and songs. In 2017 he became the irst Scottish musician to offi‐ cially showcase at the prestigious Americanafest in Nashville.

hey released their Far Side of the World single in 2016 and its lyrical theme - the connection between youth and location - formed the ba‐ sis for their irst full length album: Dreams We Never Lost, which fea‐ tured original Waterboy and current Saw Doctor, Anthony histlewaite.

www.deanowens.com heir new single - Streets of Dream‐ ers is released on 2 February 2018 a big anthemic sound with a typical‐ ly hooky chorus, with a beautiful

Tide Lines

Published 31 January 2018

13

ART burgh's Water of Leith. Honey shot across Scotland and Sweden to illus‐ trate her attachment to both her adoptive and home countries.

Shooting at twilight allowed Honey to challenge the limitations of her chosen medium, in part for the time constraint (twilight only lasts 15-20 minutes), but also for the particular blue hue the light takes on during that time. While most photogra‐ phers consider it unlattering for theirs subject matter and shy away from it, Honey explores its potential to offer a glimpse of an ephemeral moment in the 24 hour-cycle. When the Blackbird Sings also delves into the signiicance and symbolism of dusk and explores the ethereal qual‐ ity of twilight; an in-between mo‐ ment which doesn't belong to either day or night, and which Honey sees as an emotional, relective pause in her day.

Jannica Honey: When he Blackbird Sings at Arusha Gallery Jannica Honey: When he Black‐ bird Sings|2 - 25 March 2018 | Arusha Gallery | 13A Dundas St EH3 6QG Arusha Gallery will show work by Edinburgh-based photographer Jannica Honey as the subject of its spring exhibition, opening in March 2018. he award-winning artist will present a new series of nearly 30 works (digital giclee prints), When the Blackbird Sings (2016), for its irst ever showing, which focuses on the female body and its links with nature. he compelling works depict naked women of all ages as well as poetic shots of lowers in water. he sub‐ jects are family, friends and acquain‐ tances of the artist, always posing outdoors and at twilight. Honey

shot the fascinating images over the course of a whole year, exclusively on every full and new moon, start‐ ing at the October 2016 Supermoon.

When the Blackbird Sings is named after the bird which signals twilight with a song; while shooting the se‐ ries Honey was stricken by the song's memento mori-undertones. he resulting photographs unveil lyrical still lifes alongside delicate m o m e n t s o f te n d e r n e s s a n d unashamed femininity, and cele‐ brate the beauty of the female form at any age. While some of the sitters are smiling directly at the camera, others are looking away from it, al‐ most blending into the surrounding setting of moss and trees. he colourful lowers, including daisies and passion lowers, are captured resting on the surface of Edin‐

Garry Fabian Miller

ry Fabian Miller's recent body of work as well as tracing back long term inluences through key early pieces from the artist's career. Ap‐ plying craft ethos to digital printing, his current work extends his ongo‐ ing research into colour in photo‐ graphic image, to how an image comes into being both in print and in tapestry. his exhibition will look in detail at these processes, from the perception and selection of colour in tapestry to recent changes in digital photo‐ graphic printing that have had a ma‐ jor impact on Fabian Miller's work. he tapestry, Voyage into the deepest, darkest blue is not a direct copy of one of Fabian Miller's prints - in‐ stead the wool blends are being de‐ veloped to make a new image based on the amalgamation of two pho‐ tographs. he exhibition will also feature a rarely seen image from the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, by pioneering photogra‐ pher Gustave Le Gray (1820 - 1884). his early image is one of the irst examples of a photograph made by exposing an image from two nega‐ tives.

Dove cot S tudio s Inir mar y Street EH1 1LT t 0131 550 3660

he winning artwork will be chosen

by John along with a selection panel of judges who will decide upon three winners whose winning pieces will be displayed, along with the draw‐ ings of the 30 runners up, as part of a special showcase at Paisley Muse‐ um and Art Gallery on Friday 16 March.

John Byrne said: "I'm really excited to launch the fourth year of the an‐ nual John Byrne National Drawing Competition and see the creative lair and talent that we have within our schools.

"It's really important that we give young people opportunities like this to use their imagination and express their creativity and love for drawing. his competition is a great way to showcase their talent and, once again, I look forward to seeing the remarkable variety of entries."

Last year's competition winner, Cameron Lawson from Cedarbank School, West Lothian said: "My art teacher encouraged me to enter the competition. I was really surprised when I found out that I'd won but it was great to see my artwork on dis‐ play. I would encourage pupils to take part as it's a great experience.

My advice would be to try your best and use your imagination."

Entries for the John Byrne National Drawing Competition must be sub‐

Garry Fabian Miller at Dovecot 2 February 2018 - 7 May 2018 his exhibition showcases a new Garry Fabian Miller tapestry created in collaboration with Dovecot Ta‐ pestry Studio, placing it within Gar‐

John Byrne with artist Alison Watt at the RSA Edinburgh

John Byrne National Drawing Competition Since the launch of the competition in 2014, thousands of pupils have submitted their artwork to be judged by the renowned artist and playwright John Byrne. he competition, sponsored by John, in partnership with Education Scotland invites children and young people from P4 - S3 to submit a drawing.

mitted by 4pm on 23 February 2018 to be considered for the three main prizes, with the 30 runners-up receiving certiicates specially de‐ signed by John. he competition rules and infor‐ mation about submitting entries can be found on the Education Scotland website, www.educa‐ tion.gov.scot

14

Who was he Duchess of Buccleuch?

by John Hislop A few eyebrows were raised when 79-year-old Dame Diana Rigg joined the cast of ITV's Victoria series 2 as the Duchess of Buccleuch, a for‐ midable new Lady in Waiting who takes up her position at Bucking‐ ham Palace under a new Conserva‐ tive government.

In reality however Charlotte Anne was only 30 when she became Mis‐ tress of the Robes and he Edin‐ burgh Reporter takes look at the real life of the Duchess and her rela‐ tionship with the Queen which dif‐ fers greatly from her portrayal in the show.

Published 31 January 2018

Whilst Diana Rigg's Duchess seems to annoy the young Queen Victoria at irst, in real life the pair became irm friends and Victoria was known to have considered the Duchess to be "an agreeable, sensible, clever lit‐ tle person."

In 1842 he Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch helped entertain the Queen and Prince Albert when they arrived at Dalkeith and a bronze statue inside Bowhill House by Joseph Edgar Boehm depicts the duke receiving a stirrup cup from John Brown.

Victoria later became godmother for the Duchess' eldest daughter Victo‐ ria Alexandrine, who was christened at Buckingham Palace in April 1845. he Duchess of Buccleuch resigned the post of Mistress of the Robes in 1846, and was succeeded by the Duchess of Sutherland.

Charlotte Anne Montagu Douglas Scott was born Lady Charlotte Anne hynne in Longleat, Wiltshire on 10 April 1811. She was the youngest daughter of homas hynne the 2nd Marquess of Bath.

he Duchess's faith was inluenced by her brother, the Reverend Lord John hynne, who was high church canon of Westminster Abbey and to the Duke's distress, she converted to Roman Catholicism in 1860, "after struggling with her conscience for many years over the distress it would cause her husband."

In March 1829 she married the 5th Duke of Buccleuch, Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-Scott and re‐ ceived her title.

he Duchess enjoyed gardening and landscaping, and spent much time overseeing the gardens of Drumlan‐ rig Castle.

According to the journal he Lady's Realm, their engagement resulted when the young Duke visited her fa‐ ther and met Lady Charlotte. As he was leaving he saw tears in her eyes which prompted him to turn his coach around and approach her fa‐ ther directly to ask for her hand in marriage.

Her husband Walter Francis died in April 1884, and she moved to Ditton Park in Slough.

he wedding took place at St George's, Hanover Square, London and Charlotte Anne became the ifth Duchess of Buccleuch and seventh Duchess of Queensberry.

he Edinburgh International Harp Festival 2018

Her husband had succeeded to the dukedom at the age of thirteen upon his father's death and his guardian was his father's great friend Sir Walter Scott of nearby Ab‐ botsford House. he marriage was one that Sir Walter Scott very much approved of. he couple would produce three daughters and four sons and stayed at Dalkeith Palace just outside Edin‐ burgh where they were great collec‐ tors of French furniture and paint‐ ings from throughout Europe.

In the TV series Prime Minister Robert Peel was hesitant about Vic‐ toria's choice of lady to replace Har‐ riet Sutherland as Mistress of the Robes, but in real life he was the one who chose the Duchess.

In 1841, she succeeded the Duchess of Sutherland as Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria. Her hus‐ band was a staunch Conservative and became Lord Privy Seal in Peel's ministry from 1842 to 1846.

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2017 Mu‐ sician of the Year and Scots Trad Music Awards Instrumentalist of the Year, Rachel Newton will be per‐ form her eclectic interpretation of both English and Gaelic traditional and self- penned songs with her trio featuring iddler Lauren MacColl and percussionist Mattie Foulds.

Scottish harpist and renowned com‐ poser Ailie Robertson returns to the Festival to perform with fellow Out‐ side Track band member and Cape Breton iddle player Mairi Rankin, of the famed Rankin family. his year the EIHF will provide a rare chance to hear two of the world's top pedal harpists perform as soloists in a concert made in heaven. In a welcome return to the festival, jazz pedal harpist Park Stickney will perform a one-man harp version of his "Stickney & friends". Appearing at the festival for the irst time is well-known ped‐ al harpist Gabriella Dall'Olio who will transport the audience on a mu‐ sical journey through Italy and be‐ yond.

Paraguayan harpist Ismael Ledes‐ ma's spirited performance of his own compositions and traditional melodies on the South American harp, promises to delight audiences.

Following on from last year's focus on Brittany the Festival continues to cross boundaries with a perfor‐ mance from electro harpist Nikolaz Cadoret, performing Breton harp music with a contemporary twist.

CELTIC COUSINS

She died at Ditton Park on 28 March 1895, and was buried at Dalkeith al‐ though not in the same grave as her husband due to religious differences.

In its 4th year celebrating the links with their Celtic cousins, the EIHF is turning its spotlight on the music from the two smallest Celtic nations; the Isle of Man and Corn‐ wall, with a collaboration between Manx Gaelic singer Ruth Keggin and Scottish harpist and Manx harp spe‐ cialist, Rachel Hair. Cornwall will be represented by harpist and singer Sarah-Deere Jones who will perform with the guitarist Phil Williams.

YOUNG TALENT

he 2018 festival will take place at Merchiston Castle School between 30 March and 4 April 2018. here will be a large number of per‐ formers at the gathering which puts Edinburgh at the centre of world class harping. he Scottish harp the Clarsach is of core importance and this year some well-travelled harpists will return to the home of Scottish harping in‐ cluding New York based, but Edin‐ burgh born, harpist Maeve Gilchrist who will premiere a piece commis‐ sioned by the festival, featuring the acclaimed Mr McFall's Chamber and her duo partner, dancer Nic Gareiss.

Festival favourites Catriona McKay (clarsach) and Chris Stout (iddle) will perform their truly unique brand of Scottish music following on from their 2017 new album release.

In Scotland's Year of Young People 2018 the EIHF is proud to provide a platform both to harpists at the start of their professional careers and to those currently in the early stages of learning.

For the second year running the Harp Festival will be providing the o p p o r t u n i t y fo r s c h o o l - a g e d harpists to perform specially com‐ posed music by Charlotte Petersen and Isobel Mieras, illustrating the magical story "he Power of Harp", written by Heather Yule. Mod prizewinner Abigail Cavanagh will also perform at this concert. he Scottish harp and accordion duo "Peach and Skeoch" will perform their own mischievous take on melodies written for accordion and harp at the ever-popular Afternoon Tea concert, which will also feature the youthful Moscow Harp Orches‐

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2017 Musician of the Year and Scots Trad Music Awards Instrumentalist of the Year, Rachel Newton will perform her eclectic interpretation of both English and Gaelic traditional and self- penned songs with her trio at 7.30 pm on Saturday 31st March tra playing Russian Folk music and contemporary pieces for lever harp.

Also to be heard at this year's Festi‐ val are harp ensembles: Claasagh, a school aged group from the Isle of Man who perform melodies native to their island and students from the Music School of Kristianstad in Sweden playing traditional Swedish tunes arranged for harp, iddle and cello.

HARPING FOR ALL WORKSHOPS AND COURSES he medieval wire strung clarsach is the most ancient of instruments of Scotland and the EIHF will champi‐ on this with a specially curated East‐ er and Spring concert. Wire-strung harp specialist Bill Taylor will collab‐ orate with the renaissance singers Canty to perform a selection of mu‐ sic from Medieval Europe. his will include the Scottish premiere (in modern times) of 'Be mery', a newly rediscovered Easter carol. he win‐ ner of the Clarsach Society's Young Composer Award 2017 will be an‐ nounced and their piece performed at this concert. he organisers of the Edinburgh In‐ ternational Harp Festival are proud of its reputation as a friendly, en‐ couraging and inclusive event. 2018 is no exception, with the opportuni‐ ty for harpists, of all ages and abili‐ ties to perform together in the "From Scratch" concert. Featuring new arrangements of traditional and newly composed music by Rachel Hair, Isobel Mieras, Susan Syverson and Corrina Hewat the mass harp ensemble will play this music together in the spirit of friendship and fun.

successfully. here are also harp classes for adult and child beginners and even the chance to try out step‐ dance, ukulele and wire harp.

HARPMAKERS' EXHIBITION Makers from all over the UK and be‐ yond will be on hand at this vital element of the festival, displaying instruments ranging from faithful historical reproductions to the very latest developments in harp con‐ struction.

Photo courtesy of Neil Hanna Photog‐ raphy | www.neilhannaphotography.‐ co.uk |07702 246823

SPRING SNOWDROPS Blossoming across the country, from the 28th January - 11th March 2018 the Scottish Snowdrop Festival comprises of more than 50 events nationwide displaying carpets of snowdrops in their gardens and woodlands across the city, signaling the end of winter and the promise of Spring.

Organised by garden tourism organ‐ isation Discover Scottish Gardens, the annual festival is supported by VisitScotland and Scotland's Garden Scheme.

A core element of EIHF is the chance to learn and share skills and knowl‐ edge in a wide range of workshops and courses.

Local venues taking part in the festi‐ val include Shepherd House in Musselburgh, Hopetoun House in South Queensferry and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Workshops, 19 in total, including a day of extended workshops, explore amongst others, Medieval harp and singing, practice techniques, dance and the chance to discover different genres of music on the harp.

At the Botanics Snowdrop and Early Spring Interest Walks on‐ Fri 16, Sat 17, Sun 18, Fri 23, Sat 24 & Sun 25 Feb, 11am | Age 14+ | Meet at John Hope Gateway Reception

Courses, 43 in total, at every possi‐ ble level, range from Scottish, Irish, Manx, Swedish and Breton, how to prepare music for a performance, ac‐ company singing and improvising

Published 31 January 2018

15

FILM EDINBURGH

by Phyllis Stephen Rosie Ellison runs Film Edinburgh, the ilm commission for Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Scottish Bor‐ ders, working with ilmmakers, local authorities, residents and business‐ es to attract productions to the area and facilitate their shoots.

Highlights include he Escape Artist, Festival, Rebus, Case Histo‐ ries, T2 Trainspotting, One Day, Cloud Atlas, Clique, Avengers, Out‐ lander, Ayat Cinta 2 (Indonesian blockbuster), Looking After Jo Jo, he Debt Collector, Waterboys, Great Expectations (BBC), Murder Rooms (BBC drama about Sherlock Holmes), Greyfriars Bobby, Driving Lessons, Gideon's Daughter, Low Winter Sun, Burke & Hare, Garrow's Law, Pramface, he Secret Agent, Liar.

What does ilm tourism bring to Edinburgh?

Films & TV are the best advertising that money can't buy.

Rosie Ellison She says she has been doing this for too long to quantify, but in a previ‐ ous life Rosie was a producer and re‐ searcher of factual TV, creative docu‐ mentaries and short drama.

A successful movie or TV show showcases Edinburgh all over the world, and latest research shows that 40% of visitors to the UK are inspired to visit places they've seen on the screen.

What is the best ilm ever made in Edinburgh or which has Edinburgh connections in your view?

Look at the impact of ilms like Lord of the Rings, Inspector Montalbano, Harry Potter, he Da Vinci Code, and now Outlander - these have all resulted in dramatic increases in vis‐ itor numbers to the locations fea‐ tured, with Doune Castle recording an increase of over 100% in the 4 years since Outlander irst hit the screens, and Rosslyn Chapel beneit‐ ing so much from he Da Vinci Code that it could at last afford the re‐ pairs to the building and build a visi‐ tor centre and car park.

Can I have two?

Rosie's 2017 Highlights include :

She has also coordinated ilm indus‐ try conventions, festivals and trade delegations, starting out her profes‐ sional career at the Edinburgh In‐ ternational Film Festival.

We put her in the spotlight to ind out about Edinburgh on ilm.

- Under he Skin, directed by Jonathan Glazer, starring Scarlett Johanssen as an alien disguised as a human who hunts for men. Alone in Scotland, she becomes curious about human relationships and starts to get to know a man, and there's a scene in this section which was ilmed at Seacliff and Tantallon Cas‐ tle in East Lothian.

Under the Skin is one of the most heart-wrenching and achingly beau‐ tiful ilms I've seen. I'm very proud that the ilmmakers included the Edinburgh city region in the mix of locations.

- Chariots of Fire - Hugh Hudson won an Oscar with his Edinburghset ilm. Great performances, a script that is as poignant today as ever, and some all-time-classic shots of Edinburgh including the skyline from Arthur's Seat and a race in In‐ verleith Park.

What is the best ilming location in the city or indeed the most pop‐ ular - can you tell me about the ilms it has been used in? he iconic Royal Mile and its closes is by far the most sought-after part of Edinburgh, featured in over 350 productions spanning factual and drama.

• T2 Trainspotting premiere at Fountainpark • Taking part in a Creative In‐ dustries Employability Day at Edinburgh College • Filming of Avengers : Ininity War • Giving evidence at the Scot‐ tish Parliament's Committee for Culture Tourism Economy and External Relations • Edinburgh International Film Festival • Filming of Mary Queen of Scots and Outlaw King in East Lothian and Edinburgh. his involved building a medieval village at Craigmillar Park.

• TLG FOCUS Locations Trade Show in London

If you need help for your ilm contact Rosie at Film Edinburgh info@ilmedinburgh.org

Images courtesy of Film Edinburgh

16

Published 31 January 2018

Published 31 January 2018

In conversation with 'Lady' Geraldine Elliot

17

evening and it escalated from there.

Initially I only wanted to do the backing vocals but he pleaded with me to sing and I remember the screams coming from next door from people saying that 'she can sing' which was funny.

Elm Row is home for Valvona & Crolla

by John Hislop 'Lady' Geraldine Elliot's life story reads like a work of iction, although any script would probably be reject‐ ed as being too incredible to be true.

Born profoundly deaf, Geraldine's education suffered from a lack of understanding by teachers who were unaware of her hearing problem, but since then she had become an inspi‐ rational igure for many.

After an abusive marriage, Geral‐ dine received a life changing era op‐ eration then travelled the world be‐ fore settling in Scotland's capital where she created two hugely suc‐ cessful businesses, her own range of jewellery and the legendry Edin‐ burgh Doll's Hospital when 'injured' dolls are taken to recuperate.

A chance encounter with a customer however has led Geraldine on a new path and last year she released an al‐ bum, Little Miss Blue' which has al‐ ready received acclaim in the music industry.

Geraldine recently took time out from her busy schedule to chat to the Edinburgh Reporter about her inspirational story.

Geraldine said: "At the moment, I am dividing my time between my jewellery business and music, spending nights and weekends working on the follow up album to 'Little Miss Blue' which is called 'Fast Cars and Movie Stars' and is due to be released in the spring of 2018.

"I got involved in music after meet‐ ing Lawrence (Reiver) when he visit‐ ed my 'Doll's Hospital' in Edinburgh to buy a soft toy and we got on fa‐ mously. He invited me to a music

he store at Elm Row has been a favourite haunt for many years for Edinburgh foodies and the manage‐ ment are now going back to their roots there.

"I will possibly be singing live to au‐ diences but I am worried whether I would be able to do it as my ears are volatile and I'm worried that I could be out of tune.

he doors at VinCaffè on Multrees Walk closed in early January but the Contini family have made the deci‐ sion to shut up shop there to allow them to expand elsewhere.

"Little Miss Blue has received lots of good write ups and positive com‐ ments in the music industry which is pleasing. I recently had a phone call from a guy in the States and I gave him the links to listen to the al‐ bum and he wrote back saying he was listening to it in America which is brilliant.

Chester Residence

"If I had to choose, my favourite track is 'Defying Gravity' which real‐ ly sums up everything about my life and is about trying to achieve the impossible.

Scotland's 'Best Five-Star Hotel' of‐ fers a luxury experience for adults and children

"My advice would be to try and tell someone although I know how diffi‐ cult this can be. As a youngster I was forced to be quiet and not interfere in conversations but it is important to try and be conident and strong."

Lawrence however has no doubts about Geraldine's ability to play to live audiences. He said: "Knowing Geraldine so well, I was able to write autobiographical songs which were inspired by her incredible life. I know that she is concerned about singing live due to her ears but I have no such doubts that she can do this and hopefully we will see her perform soon. We don't doctor her voice at all and 'Little Miss Blue' has already received very positive feed‐ back. he radio side is also taking off. I am very hopeful that the new album will move her a few rungs up the music ladder."

School holiday getaway

Five-star luxury Edinburgh hotel he Chester Residence provides par‐ ents with the ultimate ive-star luxury solution for families visiting Edinburgh this half-term or Easter break.

Having researched the deinitive child-friendly itinerary, with activi‐ ties that suit no matter the weather, and recommendations of the best family-friendly restaurants in the city, he Chester Residence help pro‐ vide a hassle-free trip for families.

All apartments are fully kitted out for children prior to guests' arrival, and the whole family is taken care of from young babies to older children.

Families travelling with babies will receive a baby welcome pack to keep their little one entertained whilst also ensuring their safety and par‐ ent's peace of mind. Older children receive a hamper on arrival which includes games, DVDs and Corky the bear - a cuddly bear which they can take home to remember their visit.

in the trivago.co.uk Awards 2017.

General Manager of he Chester Residence, Jill Darling, says: "We aim to ensure that all guests, no matter their age, enjoy a luxury ex‐ perience at he Chester Residence and are taken care of by our team.

Families can enjoy the beneits of a ive star hotel, with the comfort and added space of our luxury serviced apartments.

"With activities for all ages and plen‐ ty of fantastic family-friendly restaurants, Edinburgh is the per‐ fect city break for any family looking to get away during half-term or Easter." he Chester Residence 9 Rothesay Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7SL Telephone +44 (0) 131 226 2075

he Elm Row delicatessen and wine bar will now be the focus for the year round events calendar which the family company organises. hese will include wine, whisky and cheese tastings, literary dinners and jazz and Italian music nights. Mine hose Philip Contini will delight the audi‐ ences as ever when he appears there with his Be Happy Band. he opening hours at Elm Row will be extended from February 2018 to allow dinner to be served from hursday to Saturday evening. he Elm Row kitchen will offer authentic Italian home cooking with wine from their award winning list at re‐ tail prices with minimal corkage charge.

Philip Contini, Chairman of the family run business said: "We are so excited about the continued devel‐ opment of our company in retail, corporate catering, online sales and concentrating on our founding premises on Elm Row. We are well into our fourth generation and with a clear plan for our future direction."

For parents preferring to dine in during their stay, the team at he Chester Residence have it coveredguests can order a luxury hamper full of delicious treats or upgrade to 'he Chester Feast', including beer and wine for the adults. he Chester Residence is an exclu‐ sive collection of 23 unique, luxuri‐ ous Georgian townhouse apartments. he apartments offer a home-from-home feel with unparal‐ leled space, itted kitchens, and for some apartments - their own private garden. Guests can come and go as they please as many of the apart‐ ments offer private entry, giving those with pushchairs easy access.

Each apartment is individually de‐ signed with chic, contemporary dé‐ cor and features the latest technology, designer furnishings and amenities. Since opening in 2006, he Chester Residence has been awarded 25 accolades, includ‐ ing 'Best Five-Star Hotel in Scotland'

he Scotch Whisky Experience adds sign languages to its tours Pictured Joseph Sheridan Head of ITV SignPost Scotland and part of the BSL/ASL translation team for Scotch Whisky Experience (as well as presenter on the BSL/ASL device) Leyla Whyles – Head of Visitor Experience at the Scotch Whisky Experience Five-star visitor attraction he Scotch Whisky Experience has become the irst in Edinburgh to offer whisky tours in British and American Sign Language. In a pivotal move to enhance accessibility, the Royal Mile attraction has invested over £50,000 into multi-functional audio guides which feature interpreters conducting tours in both BSL and ASL. As 80% of visitors to he Scotch Whisky Experience come from overseas, subtitled tours in German, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch and Swedish will also be launching, allowing deaf visitors from these countries to enjoy the tour in their own language. Photo Ian Georgeson

18

RUGBY

Published 31 January 2018

Words and Photos by John Preece Scotland went into their 2017 Au‐ tumn International series with high hopes following their Summer tour and with Gregor Townsend in charge to continue the good work started by his predecessor, Vern Cotter, could the National side now play with the big boys? he three-match series was put into some jeopardy in the week prior to the irst match with Samoa Rugby Union announcing that they were bankrupt and couldn't pay the play‐ ers, but the rugby community rallied round as ever, and some inancial assistance was forthcoming.

Scotland's Autumn International Series

Scotland v Samoa, Murrayield, Edinburgh, 11th Nov. 2017 Autumn Internationals Scotland 44 - Samoa 38 comfortable 25-10 lead.

proved to be.

Just after the break, Scotland saw their fourth try, which was convert‐ ed for 32-10 and things were look‐ ing a bit more on track for the win.

However, by the hour mark, Samoa had crept closer once again with two tries of their own to keep the pres‐ sure on at 32-24.

So the inal score of 44-38 provided the crowd with a fantastic opener to the series, but could it get better?

he One We Could Have Lost.

Samoa were seen as the warm-up match by many, the big tests coming against New Zealand and Australia, but history has always had a habit of tripping the Scots up - Italy 2007 anyone? - in 'dead cert' games, so how would this series opener go?

A try after three minutes gave the Scots an early lead and had the 'ex‐ perts' nodding knowingly, but, by the half hour mark, Samoa had closed up to 13-10 giving all those same experts a bit of food for thought.

However, it was back on track by the half time whistle as two further tries for the home side opened up a

Scotland v New Zealand, BT Murrayield,18th Nov. 2017 Autumn Internationals Scotland 17 - New Zealand 22

By 70 minutes another try apiece had made it 37-31 as the visitors hung on to the coat tails of the Scots, with a converted try all that was needed for the lead.

But Scotland knocked that one on the head with a solo effort from Horne which looked like the winner and, despite Samoa scoring in the i‐ nal few minutes, that's what it

he One We Should Have Won. New Zealand. he All Blacks. World Champions. With a record of win‐ ning in over 77% of all matches, the men NZ are, probably rightly, con‐ sidered to be the best sporting team in the World. Ever... So how would Scotland fair? heir record wasn't great with two drawn matches in the 30 played, but with new conidence in the side, coupled with the Blacks coming off a long domestic and In‐ ternational season, could this be the one?

Published 31 January 2018

Scotland dominated proceedings in the irst half, keeping the opposition pinned in their 22 for a fair length of time and defending well on the odd occasions that they came under pressure. A seventh minute penalty had given Scotland the lead early on, but New Zealand had 'managed' to draw level at 3-3 just before the break.

By 52 minutes, it seemed to be back to the script as a couple of tries from the visitors opened the gap to 15-3, with the Scots just about keeping things from running away. But, as the hour mark ticked over, New Zea‐ land lost a player to a yellow, imme‐ diately handing the Scots a man ad‐ vantage which they drove home with a converted try for a 15-10 score.

Despite being a man down, the Blacks kept a now resurgent Scots team at bay and turned up the wick a touch to drive into opposition ter‐ ritory and notch up their third try of the match.

With the score now 22-10 and still 10 minutes left, it looked to be all over bar further additions to the All Blacks score. However, the only ad‐ dition they saw was another man in the bin, thus handing Scotland a two man advantage for around two minutes of play. Now the 'Best team in the World' showed why they are and held the Scots out and even turned the ball over to clear their decks.

With less than ive minutes left, New Zealand started to play 'keep ball', but fell foul of the referee, handing possession of the ball back, which Scotland turned into a con‐ verted try with a pitch length break to leave the inal score at an, oh so close, 22-17.

Match of the series? Maybe...

19

he One Where We Hammered hem.

Scotland has a much more success‐ ful record against the 'other' An‐ tipodean side, Australia, winning around a third of matches between the teams with the most recent be‐ ing in the Aussie's back yard in the summer where the Scots recorded 'new' boy', Gregor Townsend's, sec‐ ond win on the trot - the irst being in his irst match in charge against Italy in Singapore.

Scotland had never beaten Australia by more than a single score since 1981, but, given the showing against New Zealand the previous week, anything was now possible.

And that's just about how it turned out...

Scotland were 10-0 ahead before the irst 20 minutes had been played via a penalty and a kick-and-chase con‐ verted try. his they followed up with a 'second' try a couple of min‐ utes later, but the TMO pulled the plug on that one after review.

However, despite thing being fairly even match-wise, the score deicit was something the Aussies weren't happy with and two tries in the inal ive minutes of the half put them ahead 12-10. Unfortunately, they were soon behind again, but in the personnel stakes, as a red card for foul play in the inal seconds before the break saw them down to 14 players for the rest of the match.

Unlike in the previous match, the Scots were able to take full advan‐ tage of the extra man and scored with a converted try before the whistle and a 17-12 lead.

level.

But it's a game of numbers at times and Scotland put their numbers to good use and, by 55 minutes, had scored three tries for 34-17, then ran in a sixth just after Australian talisman, Stephen Moore, took his inal bow on the International stage.

No sentimentality there, then.

With just over 10 minutes left, the Aussies scored to bring about a 39-24 score line, but the Scots were far from inished and scored two further tries in the inal ive min‐ utes to inish off a ine Autumn Se‐ ries with a record win over Australia at 53-24.

Next up is the 2018 Six Nations and, funnily enough, Scots' conidence is high, with Townsend reckoning they can win the title. With Wales not playing too well at the moment, Irish domestic rugby going great in Europe but we beat the National side last time out and France in tur‐ moil with the recent sacking of their head coach, Guy Noves, what could possibly go wrong?

England, that's what could, and probably will, go wrong. After two years of Eddie Jones' stewardship, England have lost one match against Ireland - from 24 played. So, love them or loath them, credit must be handed out to where credit is due.

Could all be down to us or them, though... Just saying.

Australia, like New Zealand, didn't seem to see the shortage of players to be an issue, but, unlike New Zea‐ land, they scored with a try three minutes after the restart to draw

Shaw signs for Hibs

by John Hislop Hibernian FC have always been known for giving young players a chance and the latest to come through the ranks is Oli Shaw. he 19-year-old recently impressed Head Coach Neil Lennon sufficiently to be given a three-year contract af‐ ter a number of impressive perfor‐ mances for the irst team. he son of former Dunfermline and Airdrie player Greg Shaw, Oli made his debut for the club as a substitute in a League Cup victory over Mon‐ trose, having passed his driving test that morning.

He opened his goal-scoring account at Hampden Park in a 4-2 defeat to Celtic then scored again against the champions in a 2-2 draw at Easter Road. Only a goal-line clearance pre‐ vented him making history by end‐ ing Celtic's unbeaten domestic run. he youngster also had a 'goal' disal‐ lowed in the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle when the officials failed to spot that his shot had crossed the line.

Shaw said: "I'm delighted to have signed and committed my future here at Hibs. It's a massive club with great staff and a great manager and I am looking forward to continuing working and developing here.

"My goal is to play irst-team foot‐ ball regularly here and to hopefully continue scoring goals.

"I've had a wee sniff of it recently, so I'm looking forward to getting back at it after the break and hopefully continuing with that."

Scotland v Australia, BT Murrayield, 25th Nov. 2017 Autumn Internationals Scotland 53 - Australia 24

Neil Lennon said: "I am delighted that we have signed Oli on a new deal for the next three years.

"here is a maturity about his play for someone so young, but a raw‐ ness as well which makes him diffi‐ cult to play against. He is a real tal‐ ent, that's for sure.

"His performances this season, espe‐ cially last month, have really im‐ pressed me and his goals have been fantastic and shown a lot of the dif‐ ferent aspects of the talent he pos‐ sesses.

"He's a good kid with a bright future ahead of him if he continues to work as hard in training and in games as he has done so far this season."

Races at Musselburgh here are four race meetings at Mus‐ selburgh Racecourse this month. he irst two on 3 and 4 February 2018 are the Bet365 Scottish Chel‐ tenham Trials weekend, but there are another two for you to look for‐ ward to later in February.

On 14 February what better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than to pop down to Edinburgh's racecourse with your love to watch some beau‐ tiful horses clearing the jumps?

On 28 February the Jumps Season comes to an end with a meeting which begins at 2.10pm Racing is deinitely on at Mussel‐ burgh till 31 March 2018. his was made possible by the British Horseracing Authority extending their temporar y licence in December.

A governance review is ongoing and the BHA will consider the position in March before determining a fur‐ ther extension.

20

Published 31 January 2018