Travelling Gallery is pleased to announce its season three tour, the final part of its 2023 programme, which takes a new approach to touring with environmental concerns and community partnerships at its heart.
Season three hits the road this Friday (15 September 2023) with the first stop at Edinburgh’s Calton Hill which launches the group show Take Care, exploring our relationship to the non-human things we care for in an often-isolated society.
Artists include Uma Breakdown, Gwenan Davies, Ellie Kyungran Heo, Laura Wilson, and Joy Baek with Sculpture Placement Group.
Working across a variety of mediums the artworks in the exhibition look at everything from the intimacy of baking, where artist Laura Wilson’s new video, You would almost expect to find it Warm, presents growing, gloopy, fresh dough as a living organism that is alive with yeast, to the humble house plant where Ellie Kyungran Heo’s moving image work, Plantarians: appendix, explores our care of house plants asking, “Why is it that we place a plant in a pot, constricting its ability to grow and occupy physical space?”.
Continuing our relationship to non-human things, artist Uma Breakdown presents their video game Animal Agency.The multi-layered click and point game invites the player to work with animal-like creatures to move between a number of rooms and spaces. Gwenan Davies’ paintings then explore our ‘in-between’ times as she observes the ritual and social function of the coffee break, turning a sea of abandoned coffee cups into a surreal landscape.
Finally, Travelling Gallery collaborates with Sculpture Placement Group (SPG) to exhibit the sculpture, Here, My waiting by Joy Baek, from their Loan scheme. The SPG Loan scheme works with artists to extend the life-cycle of artworks that are currently in long-term storage, allowing people to care for and enjoy an artwork, often outside of a gallery context.
Launching in Edinburgh on Calton Hill this weekend, the exhibition will tour the following locations:
- Stirling University, in partnership with Stirling University
- West Lothian College, in partnership with West Lothian College
- North Ayrshire, in partnership with North Ayrshire Council
- East Ayrshire, in partnership with East Ayrshire Council
- South Ayrshire, in partnership with South Ayrshire Council
- Inverclyde, in partnership with RIG Arts
- Dumfries & Galloway, in partnership with The Stove Network
Visit Travelling Gallery’s website for more details https://travellinggallery.com/current-exhibition/
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:
“It’s brilliant to see that the final period of the Travelling Gallery’s 2023 programme will be launching at Calton Hill.
“It is so important to make art and culture as accessible to all, and through our ongoing support of the Travelling Gallery, art is brought straight into the hearts of town centres across Scotland. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to pay the spring exhibition a visit.
“Here in Edinburgh through our Citywide Cultural Strategy 2023-2030, we are determined that our residents will be able to easily access a variety of cultural activities.”
Claire Craig, Curator of Travelling Gallery says:
“The great thing about a group show is that you can include different artists working in a variety of mediums from across Scotland and beyond.
“It’s been a pleasure working with this group of artists and I’m really excited to take their work on a tour across the Ayrshires and Dumfries and Galloway, allowing access to art for all.”
Reacting to the latest ONS trade data for July, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:
“Removing the effects of inflation, goods export volumes grew at a decent pace in July, with a 4.4% month on month increase in sales to the EU.
“But a key concern is the continued slowdown in momentum in UK services exports growth – which accounts for just under half of our overseas trade.
“The BCC is recommending that an Exports Council is established by the UK Government to use ONS and other trade data to evaluate, review, and take action to improve UK export performance and strategy.
“As the World Trade Organisation’s World Trade Report this week warned of the global economic consequences of moving away from open, free trade, we must redouble our efforts to open up markets for UK goods and services.”
Detailed Analysis
The data for July shows a 2.1% increase in UK goods export chained volumes (the measure which removes the effects of inflation) on the previous month, and a 0.4% rise in goods import chained values compared with June.
Exports to the EU rose on both the current values and chained volumes measures (by 4.4%) with increases in fuels and machinery sales (including power generators). Exports to the rest of the world experienced downward pressures from fuels, machinery and transport equipment.
Estimated UK services export performance remained at the same levels as in June – on both the chained volumes and current values measures. On services imports the picture was mostly static on both measures. On the chained volumes measure, UK services exports are still 2.9% lower now than in February 2020 at the time lockdowns were applied in many global regions.
Trade Deficit
Overall, there was a slight increase in the deficit for trade in goods and services by £1.2bn to £18.8bn in the three months to the end of July 2023.
‘Edinburgh Style’ is back at St James Quarter this September for its third season, bringing showstopping fashion to Edinburgh’s lifestyle district in partnership with Grazia magazine.
From Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October, St James Quarter will play host to an array of must-attend events, curated for the fashion lovers and beauty aficionados of Edinburgh.
Across the stylish long weekend, guests can attend an exciting lineup of free fashion talks, styling workshops, and beauty masterclasses featuring world renowned brands. For those prepping their wardrobe for Autumn / Winter, the fashion team at Grazia will be hosting a series of intimate styling sessions, sharing their fashion and accessory must-haves for the season ahead.
And that’s not all, St James Quarter will be hosting two iconic catwalk shows on Saturday 30th September at 4pm and 6pm on Level 3 in the Galleria. Models will be taking to the runway, showcasing the newest looks fresh off the rails from retailers including John Lewis, H&M, & Other Stories and BOSS, as well as Harvey Nichols on Multrees Walk. For those seeking a truly VIP experience, the closing show, which will be styled by the Grazia team also offers live entertainment. While tickets are not essential, guests can reserve their free spot via the St James Quarter app.
Over the course of the weekend, John Lewis will be hosting its very own fashion and beauty events as part of its MYJL Members’ Week in collaboration with top influencers Nadine Baggott, Clarissa Rae and Nicole Ocran.
Also part of the weekend schedule, H Beauty is bringing back its H Beauty Carnival, including everything from expert sessions on how to perfect the ultimate glowing look with the Charlotte Tilbury team to how to get runway ready with the experts from Pat McGrath.
The H Beauty Carnival will also feature special appearances from the likes of social media it girl Emily Shak and celebrity makeup artist Neil Young who will be revealing their ultimate style and beauty tips. For more information and to book a free ticket, visit the H Beauty website here.
Don’t forget to download the St James Quarter app to stay in the loop with all things Style.
Susan Hewlett, Brand and Marketing Director at St James Quarter, said: “This year, we’re bringing some of the most trusted voices in the fashion and beauty world straight to St James Quarter with the return of Edinburgh Style. Over the course of the weekend, we will be hosting an array of exclusive fashion workshops, beauty masterclasses, immersive in-store experiences, and not one, but two runway presentations.
“This is the second year we’ve partnered with Grazia, and we can’t wait to show the fashion team all that the stylish city of Edinburgh has to offer. We’re inviting everyone to enjoy our packed schedule of unmissable events and celebrate their own unique style. Make sure you clear your diaries!”
For more information on the free events that will be taking place across the weekend and to secure your fashion show seats, please visit the St James Quarter app here, or alternatively visit: https://stjamesquarter.com/events
St James Quarter Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/stjamesquarter/
St James Quarter Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/StJamesQuarter/
Scotland’s building conservation centre to open its doors to visitors on Sat 23 and Sun 24 September
The Engine Shed, Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre in Stirling, will throw open its doors to visitors on Sat 23 and Sun 24 September as part of Doors Open Days.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the Engine Shed’s fascinating history and see how it was transformed from a wartime goods transfer shed to a state-of-the-art research and education centre using local, traditional materials in a contemporary way.
The centre’s specialist labs are home to Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Heritage Science and Digital Documentation & Innovation teams, who recently undertook significant new research of the Stone of Destiny. These experts will be on hand to demonstrate some of the digital and scientific techniques they use to investigate, analyse and document building materials and archaeological remains, as well as objects in HES’ collections and archives.
Visitors will see some of the digital equipment the team use in their work, including a giant 3D printer, Digital Imaging Lab, and The Howff, a walk-in immersive experience. They will learn how HES is using these innovations to support the traditional skills vital for the conservation of Scotland’s historic buildings.
Visitors will also be introduced to traditional building skills and materials by the HES Technical Education and Training team, and will have the opportunity to try their hand at the basics of stonemasonry through soap carving; to use their creative skills in construction and design activities; and to build their knowledge of the impact of climate change and why this is so important in conserving the historic built environment.
Rachael Dorman, Technical Education and Training Programme Delivery Manager at HES, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming visitors to the Engine Shed as part of Doors Open Days, and to offer members of the public the opportunity to explore one of very few places across the world to house such cutting-edge heritage digital and science work.
“Through a range of demonstrations and activities, visitors will learn more about our rich built heritage, the traditional material and skills that have been used to create it, and how we’re using technology and innovation to sustain it for the future.”
Entry is free however booking is essential for Saturday 23 Sep. A drop-in approach will be in operation on Sun 24 Sep, however prompt arrival for the advertised session times is encouraged. For more information and to book, visit the Engine Shed website.
One of Scotland’s fastest-growing food brands has announced that reducing its carbon emissions by almost 110% helped the company to survive Brexit, Covid and especially the ongoing energy crisis.
We hae meat, which supplies major supermarket chains with high-quality sausages and burgers from its Ayrshire farm and factory, installed a biomass plant on site and solar panels. The investments helped to save £750,000 from its annual energy costs.
Alex Paton, fourth-generation farmer and co-founder of the business with his wife Carlyn, said: “Without doubt, we could have closed our doors in the last two years if we hadn’t made our operations much more sustainable. The increase in energy prices, on the back of Brexit and Covid, would have been impossible for us to absorb. We’ve seen other businesses in our sector struggling where we’ve been able to use the cost savings as a basis for growth.”
The company first created a carbon management plan in 2015 with support from environmental consultants Tomson Consultancy, reducing its emissions by nearly 90% within the first year alone. It has since gone on to install LEDs and a wastewater treatment system.
Further savings have come from switching its delivery fleet to hybrid plug-in vans charged by the company’s own CHP electric generation, saving 66% on fuel costs, and using excess heat from on-site heat generation to replace tumble dryers.
These have all resulted in the business now being carbon neutral.
The family business includes four traditional farms and even the cattle gain from a greener approach as waste cardboard is shredded for bedding.
Alex added: “Brexit has affected competition for labour and maybe an inflationary effect on materials, and clearly Covid was disruptive for virtually every business sector. The increase in energy prices could have been catastrophic. We started on our net zero journey eight years ago because it was the right thing to do but now we’re really seeing the business benefits too.”
We hae meat’s achievements have resulted in it being recognised for sustainability with the Co-Op in Scotland Awards and most recently winning at the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence awards in 2022 for Sustainability Achievements.
The firm’s Corporate Group in Edinburgh has advised Danu Robotics on an investment from Sustainable Ventures to support its waste management technology
Independent UK law firm Burges Salmon has advised Danu Robotics (Danu), a robotics and AI-powered start-up developing advanced and sustainable technological solutions for the recycling and waste management industry, on the investment it secured from green investor Sustainable Ventures.
The investment sees Edinburgh-based Danu join Sustainable Ventures’ accelerator programme which will help grow the team and support the company’s commercialisation and engineering development, enabling Danu to scale its potential impact and shape a more sustainable and circular economy.
The Burges Salmon team advising Danu was led by Edinburgh-based associate Niall Mackle and partner Danny Lee from the firm’s Corporate Group. The advice was delivered through the firm’s BScale service which supports early-stage businesses scale up their operations, by providing corporate, regulatory, tax, employment and commercial advice.
Niall Mackle comments: “The investment from Sustainable Ventures is an exciting step in Danu’s development and a testament to the team’s expertise and their ability to execute on their vision. Having supported Danu through the University of Edinburgh’s Venture Builder Incubator and AI Accelerator programmes, we’re thrilled to see it grow further with this fundraising.
“We represent a number of high growth businesses though our BScale platform and we feel great pride in witnessing businesses we’ve supported from their inception, scale-up, grow and mature into successful businesses.”
Xiaoyan Ma, co-founder of Danu Robotics, adds: “We’re grateful to Burges Salmon for its support and guidance, Niall and Danny have been working with us for a while now, they understand our business and vision well and help us make the most out of every opportunity.”
Since it opened its Edinburgh office in May 2019, Burges Salmon has developed a strong presence in Scotland and a growing reputation as a market leading corporate practice. The firm is known for handling high value and complex transactions, and for supporting fast growing companies, combining legal and transactional expertise with sector insight to give tailored solutions to clients.
Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive and Founder of The 5% Club, has featured in Britain’s biggest Asian weekly newspaper – Eastern Eye – discussing diversity and inclusion in the workplace and building a workforce that is representative of society as whole.
In the article, Leo explores the importance of providing apprenticeship and training opportunities – which is one of the reasons he founded The 5% Club ten years ago – to break down the barriers young people, from all walks of life, face in acquiring the skills that build lifelong careers and fuel the UK’s economic growth.
He explains that while currently 39% of Balfour Beatty’s graduates are from a minority ethnic background and 32% are female, the company is on a journey and has set itself ambitious diversity and inclusion targets, as well as introducing reverse mentoring to help senior leaders view the world from a different perspective.
Read the article in full here.
Together The Two Firms Will Provide Full-Service Legal and Financial Services Across More Than 20 Locations In Scotland, England and Wales
Irwin Mitchell is investing in a Scotland-based law firm Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie – which has a base in Edinburgh city centre – with the two firms working in collaboration to provide a full suite of legal and financial services operating out of more than 20 locations across Scotland, England and Wales. *
The firms have complementary skills north of the border with Irwin Mitchell Scotland operating out of Glasgow predominantly in banking and finance and complex personal injury work, while Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie specialises in corporate, private client, property, and asset management.
In England and Wales, Irwin Mitchell already provides a full suite of legal and financial services which will be opened up to Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie’s clients. The two firms have access to 200+ jurisdictions across the world via membership of several international law firm networks and through these networks have collaborated for a number of years. This mutual respect and awareness has given rise to the realisation that the direct relationship that is now being created will provide great opportunities for both firms and their clients.
As part of the agreement, on completion Irwin Mitchell Partners Bruce Macmillan, Craig Marshall and Mark Higgins, will join the newly constituted Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie Management Board.
Craig Marshall, Group Chief Operating Officer at Irwin Mitchell said: “The two firms are a great cultural fit and share a similar purpose, values, and future vision. We have ambitious plans for growth, and we are both focused on building on our client-centric approach, an excellent colleague experience and an ambition to become leading responsible businesses.
“This strategic investment significantly expands our access to Scotland and Irwin Mitchell and Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie believe it will fundamentally enhance the service for current and future clients across the whole of the UK and internationally.”
Fraser Gillies, Managing Partner at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie, will continue to head up operations in Scotland.
He said: “This is a landmark moment for our firm. We have expanded considerably over the past decade and this investment will supercharge our growth efforts and provide a clear route into England and Wales, while broadening the services we can offer our clients.
“We share a similar approach, putting our clients and people at the heart of everything we do. We also share similar ambitions for the future, so we are proud to make history together and begin this exciting new chapter.”
Both Irwin Mitchell and Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie have pursued strategic growth plans over the past decade with lateral hires and M&A activity used to grow their businesses in complementary areas and in order to adapt to their clients’ and the market’s needs.
In the past 12 months Irwin Mitchell has also agreed deals to acquire asset management firms TWP Wealth and Andrews Gwynne. The firm has also opened new offices in Cardiff and Liverpool and recruited 18 new Partners.
This weekend, award winning house builder Cruden Homes is launching the first phase of sales and a showhome for their brand new development, Wellwater Grove.
Positioned in the popular village of East Calder in West Lothian, the stylish new development includes 45 three-bedroom semi-detached, and four-bedroom detached new homes designed to suit every lifestyle, from first time buyers to larger families.
The first release will include 3-bedroom semi-detached and 4-bedroom detached homes, with prices starting from £255,000. The first plots will be ready this Autumn.
To register interest now or get in touch to book a viewing of the show home on the opening weekend – Telephone 01506 303 009 or email wellwatergrove@crudenhomes.co.uk
- Luxury French Champagne brand joins The Cocktail Village lineup for 2023
- Edinburgh Cocktail Week publishes official guide for 2023
- 22 brands taking part across 10 days at the UK’s biggest cocktail festival
- The guide showcases all of the £5 cocktails on offer as well as cocktail maps for the 100 participating bars around the city
With just a month to go until Edinburgh Cocktail Week kicks off, organisers revealed today that Moët & Chandon is the final brand to join the stellar lineup at next month’s Cocktail Village.
Moet & Chandon, in collaboration with the team from Eve at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, will offer a selection of three Champagne cocktails. Moët & Chandon celebrates life’s memorable moments, and the bespoke cocktail selection has been curated to celebrate the festival’s fifth anniversary, running from Friday, 6th – Sunday, 15th October from 12 noon-11pm daily.
The announcement coincides with the publication of this year’s Edinburgh Cocktail Week guide which includes a rundown of all the £5 cocktails on offer at 100 bars taking part throughout the city during the 10-day festival. The guide can be accessed here.
This year marks Edinburgh Cocktail Week’s fifth birthday. To celebrate, the event has partnered with 100 of Edinburgh’s best cocktail bars, speakeasies and neighbourhood pubs to offer delicious £5 Signature Cocktails (list of 100 bars in editor’s notes). To get exclusive access to these cocktails, customers simply need to buy one of the festival wristbands and show it at the bar when ordering. Wristband holders can find all the cocktails within the official guide and maps to help plan their day out and navigate the best cocktail routes across the city.
No matter which wristband type is purchased – weekday or weekend – wristbands are valid at all participating bars for the full ten-day duration of the festival so event goers can enjoy multiple days out tasting their way around the best bars in Edinburgh.
The celebrations also extend to the highly popular Cocktail Village at Festival Square, the social epicentre of the festival, which will be bigger than ever before. Entry to the Cocktail Village is free with a festival wristband and inside cocktail-lovers will find 22 pop-up bars serving amazing cocktails from £5. Pop-up bars serving cocktails from £5 include Aperol Spritz, Grey Goose, Patron, Engine Gin, Tia Maria, Hoxton Spirits, Boe Gin and Malibu (full list in editor’s notes), as well as a luxurious selection of premium, full-priced cocktails from the Moët & Chandon bar. There will also be a mouth-watering selection of street food from Duck & Waffle, Pizza Geeks and Taberu Japanese Kitchen, and a live music stage with a jam-packed programme of local musicians and special headline performances, including a Spice Girl Tribute band, to get the party going.
For the discerning cocktail drinker, Edinburgh Cocktail Week has a collection of award-winning ‘Prestige Cocktail’ bars to visit, where you can enjoy elevated cocktail experiences curated by the city’s top mixologists at the likes of Panda & Sons, Hey Palu, The Waldorf Astoria, Commons Club and The Devil’s Advocate.
Gary Anderson, Managing Director of Edinburgh Cocktail Week said:
“What better way to toast our fifth birthday than with Moët & Chandon champagne? We are utterly delighted to announce that Moët & Chandon will be joining us in the Cocktail Village next month and we look forward to raising a celebratory glass with wristband holders. We’re incredibly proud to call Edinburgh the home of the UK’s biggest cocktail festival and would like to thank all our customers and partners for their continued support of the festival – it’s amazing to see so many familiar faces year after year.”
Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh Business Improvement District said: “Essential Edinburgh is delighted to again be the primary partner to Edinburgh Cocktail Week. ECW is now eagerly anticipated and well established in the city’s event calendar, and does a fantastic job in promoting our superb hospitality sector in the city centre. We look forward to another hugely successful event both in the Cocktail Village and around every one of the bars and restaurants taking part. I can’t think of a better way to spend an early October evening than sampling wonderful cocktails in and around our city centre.”
A full list of the brands and bars taking part can be found on the Edinburgh Cocktail Week website and in notes to editors below. Wristbands are on sale now at www.edinburghcocktailweek.co.uk.
Wristband options for 2023 are as below (inclusive of booking fees):
- Weekend 1 – £10.00 (valid Friday 6th – Sunday 8th Oct)
- Weekday – £8.00 (valid Monday 9th – Thursday 12th Oct)
- Weekend 2- £10.00 (valid Friday 13th – Sunday 15th Oct)
- Ten Day – £14.00 (valid Friday 6th – Sunday 15th Oct)
All wristbands are valid at all 100 participating bars for the full 10-day duration of the festival. Wristbands are valid at the Cocktail Village for the dates detailed above.
