The Data-Driven Innovation Programme, a strategic partnership led by the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, has won the Collaborative Initiative of the Year award at the Institute of Economic Development (iED) Annual Awards 2025. The awards celebrate achievers in the public and private sector, across individual, team and organisational categories. This year saw a record-breaking number of entries, with almost 60 submissions received for seven award categories

A new survey has revealed that only 25 per cent of Edinburgh residents mark Scotland’s national day.   It also found that at a national level, just one in four (26 per cent) Scots say they celebrate St Andrew’s Day, which takes place on 30 November.   According to the research, commissioned by Aldi Scotland, almost four in 10 Scots are unable to identify the date, with some mixing it up with Burns Night, in January.   Women are more likely than men to know the date (64 per ce

Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard, part of The University of Edinburgh, is joining forces with Simpsons Special Care Babies (SSCB) to mark the charity’s 40th anniversary, with a ‘Tree of Light’ installation, honouring families supported by the neonatal unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The installation will be housed at Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard, the café/restaurant located in the university’s Futures Institute, at the former site of Edinburgh’s Old Royal Infirmary. It will

As Christmas approaches, Christmas fair, Deck the Halls, is inviting Edinburgh residents to share their most cherished festive memories, to be showcased on special ‘memories trees’ at the SEC in Glasgow this month. The memories trees will showcase cherished Christmas memories from across Scotland. Visitors can explore the displays and reflect on past festive traditions while making new memories at the show, which runs from 28-30 November. Memories already submitted for the tr

The Edinburgh School Uniform Bank (ESUB) has launched its ‘Winter Warmers’ campaign to keep more children across the city warm and in school this winter. The charity is urging local businesses to consider supporting its campaign. According to a recent Edinburgh Poverty Commission report, 12,000 families across the capital are experiencing destitution – meaning that they are going without essentials such as clothing, food, shelter, heat, light and toiletries. ESUB’s Winter War

Following the success of the inaugural Scottish Women’s Well-being Summit, held in St Andrews on 15 November, organiser, Lesley Canis is making plans for the next, expanded version. The first summit attracted more than 100 women from all over the UK, including HR specialists and entrepreneurs, to name a few of the business backgrounds represented. Lesley said: “I always anticipated the summit becoming an annual event but was testing the market with this first one. I am now th

Forever Edinburgh is inviting city residents to make the most of two upcoming Resident Days - Carers Rights Day (Thursday 20 November) and St Andrew’s Day (Sunday 30 November). Resident Days give those who live in Edinburgh access to free or discounted activities,   attractions and tours across the city. These dedicated days are part of Forever Edinburgh’s Resident Rewards programme, designed to thank local people for their ongoing support of the city’s visitor economy. The n

On Sunday 16 November, The Palmerston restaurant is hosting a pop-up by Flora Shedden, writer and owner of the Aran Bakery in Dunkeld, and previous contestant on The Great British Bake Off.  The event coincides with Flora’s new cookery book, Winter in the Highlands: Eating, Drinking and Celebrating in Scotland. Bakes from the book available to buy on the day, from 9am until they sell out, include parsnip loaf cake; Earl Grey and fig scones; hazelnut crumble mince pies; and nu

Sponsored As the festive season approaches, so does the question of what to buy for the most important people in your life.     For some, that present might be tech, for others it could be whisky or cashmere. But to show loved ones how special they are, there’s one particular gift that never loses its sparkle.  And that’s, of course, jewellery.   It can be tricky making the choice, though: everyone has their own individual preferences, and you want to get it right.   That’s w

A former metal works is launching as a collaborative space for food, drink and the arts on 27 November. Brown’s of Leith will open within the George Brown & Sons Engineering Works building on The Shore. The engineering firm vacated the building last year and management of the building was then taken on by the design hub Custom Lane. Some of the businesses opening in the first phase of the project include all-day venue Haze, which draws its inspiration from European wine bars;

Fenton Barns nursery in North Berwick has been shortlisted in four categories – Individual Nursery of the Year, Nursery Manager of the Year, Nursery Team of the Year and Outdoor Learning Environment of the Year – in the 2025 Scottish Nursery Awards.  The awards ceremony takes place in Glasgow, on 22 November.    Director, Caroline Freeman commented: “This recognition reflects the dedication, teamwork and passion of everyone at Fenton Barns Nursery. We’re so proud of our nurse

Artist and musician, Bee Asha, is launching What a beautiful place to fall over – a multi-art-form project that blends music, poetry, photography, film-making and live performances,  " to honour the historically diverse borough of Leith – and to shed a light on the complex effects of gentrification   on local businesses and communities."  At the heart of the project is a live album inspired and written collaboratively with Leith creatives .  The project will include six perfo

Visitors to Newhailes House and Gardens in Musselburgh have the chance to win tickets and vouchers for a Christmas shopping fair at the SEC in Glasgow.   ‘Deck the Halls’, a new seasonal event taking place at the SEC from 28-30 November, is teaming up with the National Trust for Scotland, to host a festive gift hunt at Newhailes.   The gift hunt, which is being held on the weekend of 7-9 November gives visitors the chance to seek out hidden ‘golden’ envelopes containing ticke

Furniture retailer, Sterling Home is lighting up the festive season with a donation of Christmas decorations and furniture to children’s hospices and hospitals across Scotland. The family-owned business is giving back, with a donation of items including cushions, throws, garlands, table runners and other seasonal pieces to CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland). These will be used to decorate and refresh rooms in children’s hospitals and hospices, creating comforting envi

The inaugural Scottish Women’s Well-being Summit is taking place on Saturday 15 November, at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews.   More than 200 women are expected to gather for the event, which will feature speeches from special guests such as Kate Muir, women’s-health campaigner and documentary maker; Lee Donald who recently scaled the summit of Mount Everest; Dr Heather Currie MBE, gynaecologist and founder of Menopause Matters; and Dr Jo Salter, the UK’s first female figh

Umbrella Vinyl, on Valleyfield Street, is bringing a ray of sunshine to the darker months with the launch of 'Sunshine Sundays'.   Starting on Sunday 2 November, the secondhand-vinyl shop will transform into an ‘uplifting, tropical escape’ on the first Sunday of every month, from 12-4pm, until spring 2026.  Laura Thomson, co-owner of Umbrella Vinyl, said: “The days are getting shorter and darker, so we wanted to offer people a bright, fun haven.  “On the first Sunday of the

Edinburgh-based hospitality firm, Signature Group, has launched a UK-wide search for the next generation of culinary talent.  The company is offering aspiring senior chefs the opportunity to take the next big step in their career, as part of its new ‘Senior Chef Academy’. Under the mentorship of Ian Boyd Thorpe, executive chef at Signature Group’s Rutland Hotel in Edinburgh, the successful applicant will join the first, intensive three-month development programme in November

The Edinburgh Butter Company has announced Wheatberry Bakery in Glasgow as the winner of 2025’s Scotland’s Best Croissant competition. The competition was held at Edinburgh restaurant, Hawksmoor and drew 14 entrants. Edinburgh’s Patina Bakery won second place.  Entrants presented six plain croissants to a panel of judges comprised of industry experts including Darcie Maher, owner of Lannan Bakery in Stockbridge. Entries were judged on appearance, including uniformity, colour

Dobbies Garden Centre in Edinburgh has opened ‘The Pet Shop’ at its store, to cater for the growing number of dog lovers in the city. It has also increased capacity at its yearly sell-out event, the ‘Santa Paws’ experience, to help meet anticipated demand. The Pet Shop features an expanded product range of pet clothing, accessories and toys, with the introduction of brands such as Joules and FatFace, as well as offering puppy training and travel and health products. It also p

Hogmanay dinner at The Dome is sold out, but tickets for the party are still available. It’s a black-tie event, starting at 9pm.  The...