Dales Marine Services Ltd and Dales Marine Services (Greenock) Ltd (Dales Marine) are excited to announce that applications for their highly esteemed apprenticeship programme are now being accepted.

Dales Marine has a longstanding commitment to fostering talent within the ship repair and marine industry. Through collaborations with local schools and colleges, we have inspired numerous students to explore maritime/ship repair as a promising career path.  Dales Marine is proud to have 33 current apprentices undergoing training across our dry dock sites. This year, we are thrilled to offer 12 new apprenticeship positions at our Aberdeen, Leith, and Greenock facilities.

We are seeking ambitious and motivated individuals to join us in mechanical engineering, steelwork and fabrication.  At Dales Marine, we provide tailored training, support, outstanding benefits, and promising career prospects upon completion of the apprenticeship.

Apprentices are welcomed into a four-year apprenticeship programme. This structured initiative entails two years of training, a blend of on-site experience at Dales Marine and academic coursework, and an additional two years of site-focused training.

Commencing their four-year journey in August, the apprentices will work closely with experienced tradespeople, shadowing them in the first two years, with further responsibility in the third year, and ultimately taking a lead position in some work tasks during their fourth year.

Practical experience is emphasised, with steelworkers and fabricators receiving on- and off-site training in various welding techniques, including MIG, TIG, and stick welding. Mechanical engineering apprentices focus on developing skills in areas such as repair work, engine overhauls, hydraulics, propulsion, and thruster maintenance and repairs.

If you aspire to embark on a rewarding career in maritime/ship repair, we encourage you to submit your application before the deadline on June 7th, 2024.  Interviews will be conducted in July, with successful candidates commencing their apprenticeship with Dales Marine in August. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply for these apprenticeship positions through our website www.dalesmarine.co.uk/careers.

Dales Marine is an equal opportunity employer and see people first and foremost for their potential within the maritime trades.  Dales Marine is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all and actively encourages applications from females, those with disabilities, or from an ethnic minority background.

Fleurs de Villes, the world-renowned floral show behind international blockbuster exhibitions in cities including Sydney, New York, Chicago, Miami and Toronto, has announced it will return to Edinburgh next month with its major new exhibition; ARTISTE.

Known as “Floral Disruptors”, Fleurs de Villes is set to deliver another feast of fresh floral storytelling at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh between 31^st May and 9^th June, 2024, following the wildly successful UK premiere of its VOYAGE show last year at The Botanics.

This year’s Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE theme promises superstar levels of fresh floral creativity celebrating Scotland’s remarkable art and the nation’s much-loved artists.

Few artworks evoke Scotland or The Scottish Highlands more than The Monarch of the Glen, and no artist defines Scotland in word greater than Robert Burns. Both will be reimagined in spectacular floral homage for ARTISTE. A titan of Scottish life, the work of artist and playwright John Byrne will also be celebrated, along with Alexander McQueen, whose ties to Scotland defined his groundbreaking career, and Annie Lennox whose visual image as one of music’s greatest ever artists, each promise dramatic wow moments for visitors. East will meet west too at Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE as key works of what became known as the Glasgow Style take a fresh floral starring role, with Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Frances MacDonald MacNair and Annie French each celebrated. Adding a regal elevation to the exhibition, one of the most important surviving Jacobite artefacts – the lost painting of Jacobite hero Prince Charles Edward Stuart, by Allan Ramsay; Scotland’s greatest 18^th century painter – is also announced for ARTISTE.

Staged in a beautiful pavilion within the magnificent grounds of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; one of the finest botanic gardens in the world, visitors to Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE will experience 15 incredible fresh floral mannequins inspired by these accomplished artists and artworks, with more exciting names to be revealed over the coming weeks, all created by Scotland’s most talented florists.

Whilst admiring Fleurs de Villes’ famous mannequins, visitors will have the opportunity to watch floral demos and talks from local florists and botanical experts, then continue into the historic listed grandeur of the adjacent Inverleith House to explore captivating rooms adorned with more exquisite ARTISTE-themed floral displays. A number of prestigious partners, each bringing ARTISTE to life across the exhibition in their own remarkable ways, will be announced soon.

Delicious botanical refreshments and light bites will be available within the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s on-site café, including a scrumptious afternoon tea and picnic boxes.

New for 2024, visitors can enjoy an indulgent cream tea at the Fleurs de Villes Tea Salon on the main floor of Inverleith House, a unique experience available only for the duration of the ARTISTE exhibition.

To kick off the exhibition’s opening weekend in style, Fleurs de Villes will host two exclusive Le Soir evening events on May 31st and June 1st, starting at 6:30pm. During these enchanting evenings, visitors can experience the beautiful ARTISTE exhibition accompanied by live DJ entertainment and a floral-inspired drinks menu.

Tickets to Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE (including add-on dining experiences and Le Soir evenings) are on sale now and can be purchased at fleursdevilles.com/edinburgh.

General admission tickets are priced at £23 for adults, £20 for seniors and RBGE members, and £11 for kids (4-16 years). A family discount (2 adults & 2 kids) is priced at £56.

(Displays from past Fleurs de Villes exhibitions. Photo Credit: Fleurs de Villes)

Speaking about today’s announcement, Karen Marshall, Co-founder of Fleurs de Villes said:

“At the heart of the Fleurs de Villes brand is a deep appreciation for art and a commitment to elevating floristry as an art form like none other. With this vision in mind, our new show Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE not only speaks to our origins, but also celebrates the universal love for the arts and their extraordinary capacity to bring people together and unite the world around us. We couldn’t be more pleased to launch this show outside of North America for the first time in Edinburgh – a city renowned for inspiring artists for centuries.”

Raoul Curtis-Machin, Director of Horticulture and Visitor Experience at RBGE, added:

“Following last year’s spectacular launch of Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE at the Botanics, we look forward to welcoming visitors to the stunning new exhibition – ARTISTE. This celebration of floral artistry, inspired by the world’s art, is aptly located at the heart of the Garden’s magnificent Living Collection and Inverleith House, home to our own creative arts programme.”

The Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE global tour will travel through the US, Canada and UK in 2024, stopping in cities including Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, Vancouver, Dallas, Boston and New York.

• Scottish business confidence rose by one point to 42% in April
• Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects fell 14 points to 44%, while optimism in the economy climbed 17 points to 40%
• Overall UK confidence held steady at 42% in April – the same level as in March and February

Business confidence in Scotland rose one point during April to 42%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking.

Companies in Scotland reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 14 points at 44%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 17 points to 40%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 42% (vs. 41% in March).

Scottish businesses identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as investing in their team, including hiring new people and investing in training (36%), investing in sustainability (34%), and evolving their offering with new products or services (31%).

A net balance of 42% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up one point on last month.

The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.

National picture

Overall UK business confidence held steady at 42% in April, the same level as recorded in March and February.

While firms’ confidence in their own prospects dipped marginally by four points to 45%, their confidence in the economy rose by four points to 39%. Meanwhile, the net balance of companies planning to increase staff levels over the coming 12 months climbed six points to 33%.

The East of England was the most confident UK nation or region in April (56%), followed by the Wales (51%) and the North East (46%).

Sector insights

Businesses in the manufacturing sector reported increased confidence this month, recording an increased score of 45% (up 4 points) which is the highest level for 3 months. Similarly, confidence among firms in the services sector (42%) and construction (41%) also improved, largely driven by greater economic optimism.

In retail, confidence pulled back slightly from last month’s strong showing to 40%, illustrating that confidence in this sector remains fragile. Retail is also more liable to be impacted by external factors sectors other sectors do not face into, such as the poor weather.

Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Scotland at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “Scottish businesses are still facing high costs, but such an encouraging rise in economic optimism suggests the pressure on their bottom lines is starting to ease as inflation comes down. 

“Looking ahead, events like Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, the Edinburgh Festival, and the 152nd Open golf championships are expected to drive a significant influx of tourists to Scotland over the summer so there’s lots for businesses to be excited about. From pubs and restaurants to local attractions, it’s expected to be a busy summer. However, if firms are going to make the most of this opportunity for growth, they need to have robust working capital and the appropriate resources in place.    

“As always, we’ll continue to be by the side of Scottish businesses and are ready to help firms make the most of the busy summer trading period ahead.”

Paul Gordon, managing director for SME and Mid Corporates at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It’s encouraging to see businesses are showing continued confidence in their own prospects and the wider economy. For the second consecutive month, confidence is unchanged which supports the growing sense that businesses are beginning to consistently feel more confident as we progress through the year.

“There are positive signs for the labour market with more businesses this month signalling they are open to hiring staff. However, the impact of minimum wage of companies’ hiring intentions will be closely watched, and we are yet to see this materialise among the largest firms. Businesses with smaller headcounts however, have been a bit more cautious, although they remain broadly positive. 

“Overall, businesses appear to be continuing the positive trend established at the start of the year, and we’re here to support them with their ambitions going forward”.

Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “We are beginning to see a consistent trend emerge from our Barometer results in recent months. Businesses are feeling increasingly confident about the economy, coinciding with falling inflation and hopes that interest rates will start to fall this year. 

“There continues to be a mixed picture among the regions, with the biggest rises seen in Wales and the South West. The strongest confidence was reported in the East of England, with confidence rising for the third consecutive month. Confidence in the North East eased slightly but remained strong in April. 

“The second quarter of 2024 has started brightly for businesses, and we are seeing firms expressing greater confidence in an enduring economic recovery.”

 

An inspiring project to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into STEM careers is among six charities across Scotland set to benefit from a funding boost from the ScottishPower Foundation.

Some of the most forward-thinking and progressive charities across the country will use this backing to support vulnerable people, local communities and the environment.

 

Twenty charities across Scotland, England and Wales have been awarded funding totalling almost £1.2 million for projects committed to tackling current issues, from cost-of-living support and raising aspirations for the next generation to protecting the environment and celebrating cultural diversity.

An exciting new project from Archaeology Scotland, Energy Through Time, is helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop transferable skills and build their understanding in STEM subjects. Through the project, young people will harness the power of the past by exploring the historic green spaces around Newbattle Abbey College with the task of creating innovative solutions for future energy sustainability, enabling them to become climate ambassadors for the future.

Supported by the ScottishPower Foundation, the first courses of the project will be kicking off as part of Meaningful May, a programme of activity offered to young people who are not sitting exams in school, with the aim of supporting them into a positive destination.

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “The Energy Through Time project is helping young people to look into the past to inspire their very own future in STEM, supporting them in developing a host of skills and become the next generation of climate ambassadors.

“At the ScottishPower Foundation we always want to nurture projects that we believe will make a real difference, not only to our planet but to our local communities and the people within them. That is why it’s important for us to recognise and boost the incredible work of charities across the UK.

“It is always a challenge to narrow down the number of applications, but we sincerely believe we have selected a group of incredible organisations that we are thrilled to be in partnership with over the next year. We can’t wait to see what they all achieve.”

Jane Miller, Learning Officer at Archaeology Scotland, said: “At Archaeology Scotland we engage and connect young people with their local heritage, helping them develop new skills while raising aspirations for work and further learning. This project gives us the opportunity to use archaeology to grow STEM literacy amongst young people from areas where people are experiencing disadvantage across various aspects of their lives.

“We’re extremely grateful to the ScottishPower Foundation for supporting this new project which forms part of our Attainment Through Archaeology courses, designed to offer all people the chance to develop and grow, whatever their background.”

Another charity benefiting from this funding initiative is People Know How, an innovation charity in Edinburgh that aims to improve wellbeing across communities by supporting people to overcome social barriers and thrive. The ScottishPower Foundation’s funding will support the Reconnect: Digital & Wellbeing Community Support project which seeks to help eradicate digital exclusion by providing place-based digital support in collaboration with local community partners. By working directly with local communities, the team are creating connections between people who may otherwise feel isolated in society.

The ScottishPower Foundation will also be supporting Hope Kitchen, an Oban-based charity looking to help those in need through food, friendship and fellowship. Pilot Upcycle and Repair Shop: Oban provides affordable food, clothing and homeware whilst also reducing waste. The funding from the ScottishPower Foundation will allow Hope Kitchen to deliver workshops and events to enable people to learn the skills to repair and upcycle, whilst the shop aims to alleviate the impacts of poverty, specifically by reducing food and textile waste.

With more than £13 million given out to charitable initiatives across Britain over the past 11 years, including more than 230 grants, the ScottishPower Foundation is continuing to support a range of worthy causes, ranging from helping the next generation into STEM careers and reducing isolation among older people to helping enhance the biodiversity of our habitats.

Demand for access to Edinburgh Leisure top-class sporting facilities from talented athletes is growing year on year, as participants look to get to their peak fitness in the hope of representing their county or country at major sporting events, including the Olympic Games.

The Edinburgh Talented Athlete Support Scheme (E TASS) is a City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Leisure funded programme that represents a strong and unique partnership between talented athletes, National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGB’s) and the Scottish Institute of Sport Network (SISN). E TASS aims to provide free access to Edinburgh Leisure’s gym, swimming pool and track venues, to support talented athletes to achieve more, develop to their full potential and accomplish world class performance levels.

Gary Hocknull, Sports Development Manager at Ediburgh Leisure explains: “Being able to deliver the E TASS programme supports Edinburgh Leisure’s values of providing opportunities and support to athletes to participate, progress and achieve in sport and makes a clear statement that we invest in athletes and sport at all levels.

“All athletes accepted onto E TASS enjoy free access to Edinburgh Leisure gyms, swimming pools, and athletics tracks for recovery, rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, and endurance training. Access is made available for athletes’ own individual training requirements and does not apply to club or National Governing Body squad training. Competition is tough with demand growing year on year. For 2024/2025, we received applications from 158 new, and 108 from existing athletes.

“With only 150 spaces available on ETASS, Edinburgh Leisure works closely with NGB’s and sportscotland to ensure our support reaches the right athletes. Consideration is given to applicants in postcode areas identified through the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SMID). The performance levels of these athletes range from those beginning their elite sporting journey to those that have achieved success at international events.

Scottish number one at target shooting, Seonaid McIntosh, is supported by the E-TASS scheme and is hoping to medal in Paris. Seonaid said:  “Having the support of the ETASS scheme has been fundamental to my success in shooting as it complements my rifle training and improves my fitness with the ability to use Edinburgh Leisure’s fantastic sporting facilities across the city.”

McIntosh became the World Champion at the 2018 ISSF World Shooting Championships in the 50m Prone Rifle event.  In 2019 she became Britain’s most successful female rifle shooter of all time, winning five World Cup medals (including the first World Cup Gold to be won by a British Woman). She also became the first British Woman to rank World #1 for the 50m Rifle Three Position event and became European Champion in the 300m Rifle Prone event with an equal World Record score.

Rory Brogan, a talented athlete and rugby player explained why E TASS has been crucial for his training. “The membership went really well in the way that it gave me a place to go for Strength and Conditioning. As a young person at school, I don’t have a lot of money to spend on gym memberships, so having this Athlete scheme massively helped boost that. Furthermore, the Edinburgh Leisure gym I went to at Meadowbank is great for athletes, as it has space for plyos, plenty of squat racks etc. I made the Scotland U20 relay team, and we set the record when we competed down in Cardiff in August 2023. Furthermore, I got into the wider Scotland U18 rugby team.

To qualify for E TASS athletes must be resident in Edinburgh and a member of an Edinburgh constituted sports club. The athlete must also represent their sport at any of the following standards:

• Scottish Institute of Sport (SISN)
• Scottish/British/European/World Championship Title Holder
• Scottish or Great Britain Squad Member
• Regional Development Squad

In line with the global imperative for decarbonisation, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting legislation is ramping up around the world. In the last year ESG reporting changes have been written into EU regulations and will be written into UK regulations over the next three years, impacting a range of businesses from larger companies through to SMEs.

In a bid to support businesses of all sizes to integrate sustainability principles into their operations and so comply with these legal requirements, AAB Group has announced the launch of their (ESG) division.

An increasing number of businesses will have to report and be audited on their carbon footprint as part of the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulation (SECR) in the UK and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in the EU, with a risk of fines for non-compliance.

However, in addition to compliance, businesses stand to gain a number of competitive advantages by taking action to establish this framework for measuring and reporting on ESG topics, potentially including: greater attraction and retention of talent, access to finance, cost savings, increased profitability and retention of contracts, as well as acquiring new business.

Alasdair Green, ESG Partner at AAB Group explained the rationale underpinning the establishment of the new division, “In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, ESG factors are becoming increasingly important considerations for investors, regulators, and consumers. It has been consistently highlighted that companies performing strongly across all three factors of ESG have been shown to be more profitable, with one study finding up to 6 times more. These businesses not only mitigate risk, but also stand to gain a competitive edge by fostering long-term resilience and value creation.

“At AAB Group, we recognise the critical role that businesses play in addressing pressing global challenges, such as climate change and social inequality. Our ESG proposition is designed to support businesses in embracing sustainability as a core component of their operations, driving positive outcomes for both society and the bottom line.

“We are extremely proud to offer this proposition, which not only complements our existing portfolio of business and professional services, but also adds significant value to our clients, both established and new. ESG is considered a key growth area within AAB Group, with plans including further recruitment, team development and training.”

Based across the UK and Island of Ireland, AAB Group’s ESG team have extensive expertise in this increasingly important field, and hold credentials from Cambridge University, Chartered Accountants Ireland and the Institute of Accountants in England and Wales. With a trained B Leader on the team, AAB can also support companies pursuing B Corp certification.

Aveen McShane, ESG Director at AAB Group added: “Our clients realise that by commencing their sustainability journey, they will not only drive profits, but they will become more resilient, adaptable and avoid the real risk of being left behind. We are here to support forward-thinking businesses with our five-stage pathway.  Our goal is to build resilient and future-proof organisations that can meet today’s needs, without endangering those of future generations.”

AAB Group’s ESG service offering is designed to assist businesses in navigating the complexities of sustainable business practices by offering:

• Stakeholder Engagement: To provide businesses with comprehensive assessments of their ESG risks and opportunities, AAB can conduct materiality assessments which identify positive and negative social and environmental impacts.
• Strategic guidance: With a team of experienced ESG specialists, AAB offers tailored guidance and strategic recommendations to help businesses align their ESG policies with their broader business objectives. The AAB experts provide practical insights to foster meaningful change.
• Transparent reporting: AAB’s reporting tools, including carbon footprint software, enable businesses to track and communicate progress towards sustainability goals effectively. By setting transparent and standardised metrics, businesses can enhance accountability and build trust with stakeholders.

For more information about AAB Group’s ESG service offering and its benefits for businesses, visit www.aab.uk/business/ESG

A collection of Allan Ramsay’s portraits of women from NTS properties are brought together in 2024 for the first time. Set against the backdrop of the fashion trade, this exhibition demonstrates how vital it was for a painter to be familiar with dress styles, materials and accessories in the mid-18th century.

Fashion was a key signifier of good taste, and we move from an early 1739 portrait of a young heiress to a 1769 painting of an Edinburgh society hostess, to reveal how Ramsay used clothing to reflect a sitter’s personality.

Events

There are a number of events from June November, including our popular Wednesday evening lecture series.

Stories to be discovered include:

• The lives of dressmakers and fashion retailers in mid-18th century Edinburgh.
• How silk made its way into Edinburgh.
• The significant role Allan Ramsay’s father played in his son’s career.
• Mapping Edinburgh’s streets during Ramsay’s lifetime.

From Canvas to Silk

Don’t miss this – from June 8 – June 13th – a group of volunteers led by dress historian Rebecca Olds will be in the Drawing Room making a mid-18th century dress in silk to re-create one of Ramsay’s most vibrant renderings of Edinburgh fashion.

Come and watch, ask questions, and see how the fabrics are cut out to precisely fit the wearer without a sewing pattern.

Scan the QR code or go to www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/georgian-house to find out more.

The exhibition includes portraits from Hill of Tarvit, House of the Binns, Newhailes, Leith Hall, and House of Dun.

Also on display is a rare mid-18th century dress from Newhailes’ textile collection. And, a replica dress – made at the Georgian House in June – will allow visitors to feel the silk Ramsay captured in his portraits.

Book your tickets on eventbrite.

Edinburgh’s Fingal has sailed to the top of the world’s best hotels list in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards 2024.

Permanently berthed in the Port of Leith, Scotland’s only luxury floating hotel has been singled out by reviewers on the world’s largest travel guidance platform as one of the highest rated hotels on the planet and ‘Best of the Best’ in the UK.

The five-star hotel has been named among best Small and Boutique hotels in the world by TripAdvisor reviewers, taking first and second place in the UK and Europe lists, respectively.

The Travellers’ Choice Awards ‘Best of the Best’ title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel. It is awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the TripAdvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of 8 million listings, fewer than 1 per cent achieve this milestone.

Opened in 2019, the former Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) tender was developed and is managed by the award-winning team at The Royal Yacht Britannia. Fingal is now a world-class foodie destination with all the glamour and style of a superyacht, but with an air of old-world Art Deco luxury ocean liner elegance.

Fingal is also ‘AA Hotel of the Year Scotland 2023-24’, as awarded by the internationally recognised Automobile Association (AA).

Director of Hospitality, Franck Bruyère said:

“We’re committed to offering a world-class visitor experience to all our UK and international guests, so it’s a great honour to have been recognised by them as one of the world’s best hotels and the UK’s ‘Best of the Best’ in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards 2024.

“This latest accolade is yet further evidence of the dedication and professionalism of our entire crew, who work tirelessly to ensure everything is shipshape onboard Scotland’s only five-star luxury floating hotel.”

Analysing 12-months of review data for over 1.6 million hotels listed on TripAdvisor, winners of the Travellers’ Choice awards span nine categories from top hotels, to best all-inclusive, B&Bs, luxury, family-friendly and small and boutique.

Dan Mitchell, Vice President & General Manager Hotels, TripAdvisor, said:

“Our Best of the Best Hotels are marvels, acclaimed by thousands of travellers for their remarkable service, stunning design, and wealth of amenities that redefine what it means to have an exceptional hotel experience.

“According to our Tripadvisor reviewers, each of the world’s best hotels caters to the traveller looking for accessible luxury and unique, tailored experiences.”

Open to non-residents for afternoon tea, dinner and cocktails, Fingal’s Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar offers a choice of self-contained private dining booths for small pre-booked groups.

Fingal’s 22 luxury cabins are each named after Stevenson lighthouses, inspired by Fingal’s rich maritime heritage. The ship is now the ultimate in luxury accommodation and dining with a nautical twist.

Fingal’s double-height ballroom and bridge provide dedicated dining spaces for private events, corporate celebrations and weddings.

Fingal is located opposite the Port of Leith tram stop, which offers a direct and quick transport link between Leith and Edinburgh city centre.

For more information on Fingal, visit www.fingal.co.uk and follow on social media, including Facebook www.facebook.com/fingaledinburgh, Twitter https://twitter.com/fingaledinburgh and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fingaledinburgh