A landmark pub on Prestonpans High Street is closing for a £191,000 refurbishment, set to transform it into a top-quality local hostelry. The overhaul of The Railway Tavern on the High Street is being undertaken by Heineken-owned Star Pubs – which is headquartered in Edinburgh – and new licensee, Prestonpans born-and-bred Irene McQuade, whose father was a regular of the pub. The former Pencaitland Primary School dinner lady will be helped out by her partner Gerry Nicholas, a

Partner news The latest house-price report from ESPC highlights a market that has continued to perform steadily in the first quarter of 2026, with increased supply, easing competition and modest price growth. This is creating balanced conditions for buyers and sellers across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Borders, the property-marketing company revealed. Using data from January to March 2026, the report shows that 2,266 properties came onto the market, represe

A new Edinburgh mortgage firm, Munro Mortgages, has launched, providing mortgage advice to home movers, first-time buyers and property investors, across the city and surrounding areas. Founded by Randal McLister, a mortgage and protection broker with more than 20 years’ experience, the brokerage offers access to lenders across the entire UK mortgage market to help clients secure the most suitable deals. Randal said: “With rates constantly being repriced due to ongoing glo

Car-servicing and maintenance business, Farmer Autocare, has been acquired by Belfast-based Kerr’s Tyres Group, bringing together two family-run organisations. Founded by Sir Tom Farmer in 2003, Farmer Autocare has grown rapidly over recent years. It now operates at 21 sites across Scotland, including six in Edinburgh, and employs almost 200 people, many of whom have been with the company since its beginning. It will continue to operate in Scotland under its existing managem

Edinburgh-based maritime-technology company, Zelim, has opened an office in Canada, the firm announced. It said this marks its commitment to strategic expansion in the North American maritime market. The site is at the COVE marine-technology innovation hub in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, a major technology hub for maritime innovation. From this month, the office premises will serve as a base for Zelim to advance ongoing partnerships and future opportunities in the region for its A

More than 20 salons and colourists from across Scotland have been named as semi-finalists in the L'Oréal Colour Trophy’s Scotland semi-finals. The Scotland semi-final, which takes place on 15 April, in Glasgow, will see local semi-finalists compete live in front of industry judges and an audience, with those progressing to the national final announced on the night. Three of the 22 Scottish semi-finalists are from Edinburgh, including Ellie Gilhooley from Charlie Miller, Hazel

Morningside-based INSUREPAIR®, which specialises in insurance repair and property reinstatement, has announced its expansion into Spain. The business is now offering its services to support homeowners and property owners across Costa Cálida, Murcia and the Mar Menor. INSUREPAIR®, which was founded in 2024, delivers its services through a team of 36 in Edinburgh and 12 in Spain. The firm said that the launch reflects growing demand from UK property owners requiring reliable a

Two Edinburgh locals have turned milestone birthday celebrations into a fundraising effort, raising £9,000 for the city’s breast-cancer charity, House of Hope. The fundraising event was staged at Cold Town House in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket and hosted by Louise Maclean from Edinburgh-based hospitality firm, Signature Group and Janet Nicol, owner of McGregor Hairdressing. Over 100 people attended. The event was compered by former Scotland international rugby-union player, Andy N

Partner content It can be tricky to decide on your next steps if you’re a renter in Edinburgh who’s thinking about moving home. Do you continue your rental journey, or take the leap onto the property ladder as a homeowner? Both options come with their own merits and challenges, so the next best move for you depends on your own personal circumstances. Let’s take a look at everything you need to consider before making your decision on whether to rent or buy a home in Edinburgh.

Scotch malt-whisky, cream-liqueur brand, Magnum, is taking off into the world of global travel retail. The liqueur, which is sold in a stainless-steel flask container, is now available at Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen airports. Free samples will be handed out to international travellers passing through the airports. Lee Schofield, Magnum director said: “Our vision is uncompromising and our ambition is straightforward. “Provenance, premium ingredients and sustainability rem

Blair Castle in Perthshire reopens to the public from 1 April, with a ‘dramatic’ exhibition. Visitors to the castle will have the chance to view a selection of costumes from some of the UK’s most popular TV programmes and films, including a gown worn by actress Jenna Coleman in Victoria ; a gown from Wolf Hall; outfits worn in Downton Abbey ; dresses worn by ladies in waiting in the Bridgerton spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story; and the wedding dress worn by Kiera

A new gallery showcasing the work of international artist, Yaniv Edery, has opened in a townhouse on Picardy Place. The new gallery, Yaniv’s first in the UK, presents his collection of artworks and also offers a new events venue in the city, available for private hire, for weddings and other occasions. Yaniv’s artistic journey began in fashion and textile design. A self-taught artist, he has developed his technique through years of experimentation, layering resin over careful

Private-label, Scotch-whisky business Tailored Spirits Co. has been named a winner at the Stelios Foundation UK Young Entrepreneur Awards 2026. Co-founders Adam Harding and Carl Johnstone jointly secured a £50,000 prize in recognition of their shared leadership in building the growing whisky businesses. Founded in 2024 and based in Leith, Tailored Spirits Co. was awarded third prize by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyJet, as part of the annual awards recognising the

The Lobby Bar at The Hoxton is collaborating with chef, Rob Casson, also known as the ‘King of Feasts’, on a menu of three, exclusive sandwiches. The three sandwich fillings available include roast pork shoulder with Korean BBQ sauce, chopped romaine lettuce, roast jalapeño relish, red onion, sesame cucumbers and kimchi mayonnaise; heritage tomatoes with whipped, herby cream cheese, mixed seed crunch, fresh herbs, rocket and sundried-tomato dressing; and also slow-roast chick

A new report from TheCityUK reveals that financial and related professional-services exports from Scotland grew by 16.3 per cent to reach £12bn in 2023 (the latest available data), underlining the nation’s continued strong contribution to one of Britain’s most important export industries. The report, Exporting from across Britain : Financial and related professional services 2026 , also reveals that in 2023, almost half (49 per cent) of the industry’s exports originated outsi

A new youth-led broadcast project is set to tackle misinformation and disinformation during the upcoming Scottish election. The project, Future Proof, is an initiative led by the Scottish Youth Film Foundation (SYFF). Six young journalists from across Scotland have been recruited, to report on election campaigns through the lens of misinformation, disinformation and AI-generated content. One of the journalists, Rory Kirkpatrick from Edinburgh, said: “As misinformation seems t

The horticulture team at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has credited Air-Pot® as providing a significant breakthrough in protecting some of Scotland’s most important botanical specimens, during the garden’s recent restoration project. Built in 1834 and 1858, the garden’s Grade A-listed Palm Houses were closed in 2021 for a major restoration programme to take place, with all plants removed for safekeeping. Sadie Barber, deputy curator, glasshouses, indoor living collection at

AXA UK & Ireland has announced the creation of a new general-insurance business, AXA Insurance UK, bringing together its UK commercial and retail business units under a single leadership structure. The new unified commercial and personal-lines business will be led by AXA commercial chief executive, Jon Walker, who assumes the role of chief executive, AXA Insurance UK. Jon has overseen AXA’s retail business on an interim basis since the end of last year. Tara Foley, chief ex

The shortlist for the British Business Awards 2026 has now been revealed, with 150 companies, including household names and global giants of business, as well as innovative smes and family businesses, from across the UK, competing for an accolade. The award ceremony, which takes place on 30 April at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, features special guest, George Clooney. A record number of more than 400 companies entered the awards this year, with those select

A young filmmaker from East Lothian is gaining recognition after his short film Battered was selected for the Oxford Shorts Film Festival 2026. He has also been nominated for the festival’s Early Career Filmmaker Award. Michael Inglis, who grew up in Tranent and studied film at Edinburgh Napier University, directed the short which will have its UK premiere at St John’s College, University of Oxford, on Sunday 12 April. The short centres on Jack, an up-and-coming MMA (mixed m