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The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
'World-class' Scottish produce on Bute House stage
According to a Freedom of Information request submitted by [[The Herald]], 24 official events were held in Bute House between April 1, 2024 and April 17, 2025. On April 15, then-First Minister Humza Yousaf dined on braised lamb shoulder in a biryani sauce, alongside saffron-infused Scottish yogurt, aloo potato cakes, and 'micro coriander'. Guests enjoyed a 'dark chocolate and chilli tart' with Scottish cream and honey biscuit crumb. Former FM Humza Yousaf served guests saffron-infused yogurt, braised lamb, and micro coriander. (Image: PA) On April 29, the day Mr Yousaf announced his resignation as First Minister, he hosted members of Scotland's Sikh community for a Vaisakhi event, which celebrates the birth of a key order in the religious community. Around 40 people dined on chili broccoli salad, tabbouleh, courgette pakoras, carrot and parsnip bhajis, and tamatar-kheera salad. Mains included 'butter paneer curry, aloo gobi and jeera rice, confit tandoori chickpeas and dal,' with mango lassi and fresh fruit served for dessert. Mr Yousaf would depart Bute House a week later, and his successor, John Swinney, would not hold his first officially recorded event until August 7. Read more: Amid the bustle of the Fringe, Mr Swinney hosted an 'All Festivals Reception,' welcoming representatives from the arts community. The same day, staff served 'smoked paprika chicken with spiced seasonal vegetables and pea shoots,' Scottish pancakes with smoked salmon, cucumber and Scottish cream, as well as home made vegetarian haggis truffle with onion jam. Guests listen to a speech by Mr Swinney at the reception. (Image: Scottish Government) Two weeks later, a reception was held ahead of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Guests enjoyed 'chickpea, spinach, and almond butter seasonal vegetables' with warm in house made blackthorn focaccia bread, as well as 'mini Scottish beef burgers with Scottish cheddar cheese and inhouse made tomato sauce.' Chips and macaroni and cheese were also served, alongside 'bite sized' treats and Scottish vanilla ice cream with fresh fruit. In September, Mr Swinney held a special dinner to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament. Just 18 people were invited to the intimate event, including Mr Swinney's wife, Elizabeth Quigley, and son Matthew. Several Scottish politicians attended along with their partners; including Lord Wallace of Tankerness, Fiona Hyslop, Jackson Carlaw, and Alison Johnstone. Starters included a 'heritage tomato salad with Fife buffalo mozzarella,' Scottish gin curd smoked salmon, a Highland game, prune and baby leek terrine, vegetable piccalilli, and Scottish oatcakes. 'Pan seared Scottish salmon' was the first main course, alongside 'braised Scottish lamb shoulder served with Scottish Edinburgh butter fondant,' baked fillet of cod with a 'blackthorn Scottish sea salt and dill crust,' slow braised Scottish beef, and pan roasted chicken stuffed with local butcher haggis. Winter risotto and a seasonal vegetable tartlet (with peppery rocket) were offered to vegetarian guests. Scottish cranachan, an 'Edinburgh Ale dark chocolate tart', an almond sponge and a lemon posset were served for dessert, alongside a selection of Scottish cheeses, fruit, and oatcakes. Several days later, on October 1, guests to Bute House enjoyed vegetarian haggis truffles with onion jam, 'mini choux buns filled with an Isle of Mull cheddar mousse,' and caramel pecan éclairs served with candied orange. On October 24, an afternoon tea hosted for young carers and their companions brought out a different side of the Scottish Government's culinary expertise. Young carers enjoyed an afternoon tea with Mr Swinney. (Image: Scottish Government) Young people were served house made pork sausage rolls, poached chicken and mayonnaise scones, blue cheese and pickle buns; as well as roast chicken on focaccia, cheddar finger sandwiches, and brownie bites and mini carrot cakes. December at Bute House saw meals become heartier as the dark days of winter drew near. On December 10, Mr Swinney oversaw a reception consisting of mini beef burgers, panko chicken bites, mini pizzas, brownies, empire biscuits, and fresh fruit. Six days later, guests enjoyed haggis truffles with onion compote, a 'sticky shallot and almond parcel,' and a holiday favourite – mince pies. At an event toasting Scotland's 'senior culture sector representatives', in early January 2025, guests were served a tomato and mozzarella salad, Scottish baked cod with citrus potatoes and wild mushrooms, and winter risotto with pumpkin and squash. Attendees at the small affair included MSP Angus Robertson, BBC presenter Kirsty Wark, former Fringe boss Shona McCarthy, and Scottish Music Industry Association CEO Robert Kilpatrick. One attendee at the dinner, Culture Counts director Kathyrn Welch, posted on LinkedIn about the dinner, writing: 'A thoroughly memorable evening – dinner with First Minister John Swinney and Cab Sec Angus Robertson at Bute House in Edinburgh. Such a treat to be in the company of thoughtful and brilliant folk from across the culture sector, discussing what the future of a vibrant and ambitious sector would look like.' Read more: At an intimate dinner celebrating the retirements of Lord Justice Clerk Leeona Dorrian and Lord Justice General Colin Sutherland in February 2025, guests enjoyed smoked chicken with an 'Ayrshire ham and sultana terrine,' oven roasted North Sea halibut, winter baby vegetables, and a whisky crème brulee and Perthshire rhubarb. Multicultural fare returned in March, as Irn-Bru onion bhajis, lentil, coconut, and corn curry, slow cooked chicken madras, and lamb shoulder josh rogan were served at several Bute House receptions. A [[Scottish Government]] spokesperson praised the work of the Bute House kitchens, commenting: 'Events at Bute House, the First Minister's official residence, are an important way to showcase what Scotland has to offer, promoting jobs and investment to industry while engaging with representatives from around the world. 'The menus are carefully chosen to ensure ingredients are sustainable and sourced from Scottish producers – giving world class Scottish produce a platform on the global stage.'
Edinburgh Reporter
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
As Oasis return to Edinburgh – a new book and a new film are released
Creation label boss Tim Abbot, described as the sixth member, will make a public appearance in the city the night before the Oasis concert with a new film about the band. And as the band returns to Scotland, a new book is also being released. When The City of Edinburgh Council commented unfavourably on Oasis fans relating to their three sell-out concerts at Scottish Gas Murrayfield – the band's frontman responded quickly. Fans were described by the council as 'rowdy' who would 'take up more room' and drink to 'medium to high intoxication'. Gallagher posted on X: 'To the Edinburgh council, I've heard what you said about OASIS fans and quite frankly your attitude f**king stinks. I'd leave town that day if I was any of you lot.' Journalist, musician, and cultural commentator, John Robb – whose grandparents came from Edinburgh – has released a new book: Live Forever: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Oasis, which details the band's history. John Robb's book He responded: 'I think it's snobbery, and I have a connection to Edinburgh through my grandparents. If they can't cope with the Oasis concerts because of the Fringe, they should have let it go to Glasgow. There are always a few idiots in crowds of over 60,000 at a concert, but I think the problem here is that everyone gets tainted by them. It's one of the problems with the country as people look down on people. It's a working class band and culture and for decades, there has been a sneering attitude, a kind of 'look at them' which is horrible. It was great that Liam stuck up for his fans.' Robb attended one of Scotland's most mythologised gigs, later writing about it in his book about The Stone Roses (The Stone Roses and the Resurrection of British Pop). Their concert under a hot, sweaty tent in Glasgow Green, as Robb suggests, paved the way for Oasis. He said: 'It was the classic Roses gig. They sounded like a cross between The Beatles and the Sex Pistols, it was a much heavier gig than Spike Island. Oasis was almost a continuation of that sound and they took those references and ran with them.' It's 31 years since Oasis played their first gig in Edinburgh back in April 1994 at La Belle Angele. By the end of that year, they were headlining the Glasgow Barrowlands, attended by this writer. The gig was seen as a major turning point for the band. Robb said: 'You had to prove it at the Barrowlands. It was one of those gigs. Oasis were seen as an overnight success but they had two years of being ignored. Most bands have to take baby steps doing three support tours, but with Oasis, after that it was really quick.' The show didn't run smoothly with Liam Gallagher walking off stage due to throat problems. It was left to Noel Gallagher to play an acoustic set while promising to return with Liam two weeks later. The promise was fulfilled, but there was something special about the first night despite Liam's absence. Robb said: 'It's almost like two different bands. 'Noel was doing demos a few years before, and that's almost like his style with those more introspective acoustic songs that appeared on the single B-sides, along with the more raucous tabloid band on the A-side, it was like two different bands. While there was this tabloid version of the band, the truth is both brothers are super-smart.' Tim Abbot Liam Gallagher with Tim Abbot (middle) and Oasis producer Owen Coyle. PHOTO Tim Abbot Tim Abbot was the label manager for Creation Records and he is hosting a special event in Edinburgh one day ahead of the first Oasis gig in Edinburgh since 2009. The author and filmmaker also comes from Scottish roots in Dundee. He explained: 'I shot twenty hours of footage which began in 1993 and ran into 1994. I'd say 20% of the Supersonic film is my material. It's all hand-held stuff that includes Noel playing an early version of Don't Look Back In Anger and there's footage of them working on the overdubs for Champagne Supernova. The film is the early story of the band surpassing everyone and their life on the road. I'm the man in the middle of it all with a video camera backstage in places like Earl's Court'. Tim has also been working on a new version of his 1996 book, Oasis Definitely, which includes photos being published for the first time. What was it like to be in the eye of the storm during the band's rise? 'It wasn't chaos,' suggested Tim, 'if it was, then we managed to control it, we kind of harnessed it … we were all holding on for grim life. In truth, we were a functioning team and we were all Celts, there was myself and Marcus Russell, who was Welsh. Maggie Mouzakitis was the band's tour manager, and she was a bit of a star. 'When the wheels did come off after the gig at the Whiskey-a-go-go in L.A. I did have to go and find Noel and bring him back into the flock.' Noel disbanded Oasis in 2009, so I asked if his return to the flock this time was a surprise? 'It was to be honest' said Abbot, 'but I always thought they would when you looked at The Stone Roses getting back together. Liam has always wanted it and when Noel became a free bird again he thought, 'let's get it on' and why wouldn't you?' Tim Abbot will appear in person alongside a showing of The Lost Tapes: Oasis Like Never Before at Cineworld on 7 August. For more info click here John Robb's new book Live Forever: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Oasis is out now Tim Abbot's book about the band Photo Tim Abbot Photo Tim Abbot Photo Tim Abbot Like this: Like Related
Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Top stand-up comic slams Edinburgh Council over anti-Oasis snobbery after fans dubbed ‘fat' & ‘drunk
Scroll down to read what the comic made of the row POLITICAL mimic Matt Forde has blasted Edinburgh councillors for making a rotten impression with Oasis fans. The stand-up comic was left spitting mad when city chiefs branded the supergroup's followers 'fat', 'old', 'drunk' and 'lairy' ahead of their three sell-out gigs at Murrayfield in August, as exclusively revealed by The Scottish Sun. 5 Matt Forde provides the voice of Boris Johnson for Spitting Image. 5 Matt brings his new stand-up show Defying Gravity to the Fringe. 5 Matt in full stand-up mode. 5 Matt doing his hosting duties. And Matt - who does pitch perfect impressions of both Noel and Liam Gallagher - blasted back at 'snobby' officials for their attacks on Oasis fans like himself. He says: 'I just think a lot of people don't get Oasis. They basically think it's just a load of yobs. 'But do you know what? They wouldn't say that about any other group of people. They would only say that about white working class people. The snobbery of it is unreal. 'I went to the first Oasis gig in Cardiff the other week and it was joyous. It was phenomenal. And yes people were drinking but it was all happy stuff. 'There was no aggro, no edge, it was just a really good celebration.' He adds: 'So it's heartbreaking to think that all these excited people are going to come to Edinburgh, after spending a fortune on their Airbnbs, only for the authorities to basically say, 'you're a load of losers' and 'brace yourself for these Neanderthals marauding through the city.' 'Is that really how you talk about tourists coming to your place?' Matt will return to the Edinburgh Festival next month with his new show Defying Gravity. It comes after he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called chordoma at the end of his 2023 Fringe run which led to him having the bottom of his spine removed before learning to walk again. He has since had to have a stoma bag fitted for his bowel movements and has to 'self-catheterise' several times a day just to wee. Oasis kick off first Manchester homecoming gig after 16 years away But in the last year Norwich-born Matt has seen his party sweep to power with Sir Keir Starmer entering Downing Street while Scots Labour leader Anas Sarwar was heading for Bute House, until a run of disastrous policies, including axing the winter fuel allowance, saw their poll ratings tumble. Matt, 42, says: 'The show title is a pun on defying calamity which I guess in my own way I did by catching my cancer early. But as a result my body has changed, although I'm still mining that for material. 'But also politically, we are living in really perilous times where you've got a Labour government that is trying to sort things out but with Nigel Farage breathing down their necks with the reality of a Reform government. 'There are some people out there that believe that the Reform bubble will just sort of magically burst. I don't think that's how it works. 'I think there are certain things about Reform that may well prevent them becoming a government, but if all other options are exhausted - with the Tories basically dead at the moment along with Labour's self-inflicted calamities - you are sort of pushing the public towards an option that they may be uncomfortable with.' And Matt doesn't buy into the narrative churned out by SNP and Labour chiefs that the Reform party is full of right wing bigots. He maintains: 'Every party contains racists. I mean, the Labour Party went through a period where it was getting investigated by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. Luckily those days are over. 'But the idea that one party has a monopoly on bigotry, is nonsense. I don't believe that most Reform voters are far right. A lot of them are ex-Labour and ex-SNP voters. 'It really makes me laugh when you get like the SNP saying, 'We'll have no nationalism in Scotland'. You're like, 'Have you read your own f***ing leaflets?' They have a cheek to attack Reform.' He adds: 'So I don't think all of a sudden Britain is full of fascists. 'There's a whole load of things that have led to their rise including, since the financial crash, life has been rubbish and people are skint and livid and they have every right to be.' During this year's run, Matt will also have a succession of big political hitters as special guests including former SNP MP Joanna Cherry - who claims she was sidelined by her party for her gender critical views - Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and controversial London mayor iSadiq Khan. He says: 'Joanna is still such a big deal in nationalist politics, and with everything that's happened with the Supreme Court ruling (that the word 'woman' means biological woman), she was just an irresistible figure to approach. 'Where the SNP went wrong was they tried to put things like self-ID through the constitutional debate, by saying 'if you are pro-independence then you must believe in self-ID at the age of 16.' 'But people were like, 'Hang on. That's mad - these are two completely different issues.' He adds: 'And I've known Ian Murray for years from when he used to be the lone Labour MP in Scotland, which shows you how quickly things can change in politics.' With that in mind, by the time Matt returns for next year's run, the Scottish elections will have been held next May. So does this political thinker believe we'll have a new First Minister in place of John Swinney? He says: 'I believe Anas Sarwar will be First Minister with a narrow Labour victory. He is a really charismatic individual. 'You can never write the SNP off as they are a formidable election winning machine in Scotland and given how the first year of Labour has been in Westminster, that obviously has helped the SNP to some extent. 'But I do think that having a Labour government still helps Scottish Labour because you can actually do stuff. And if Labour has a good year, I think Scottish Labour will win.' And Matt, who lives with his Glasgow-born wife Laura, will also be bringing with him some of his favourite impressions to Edinburgh including Boris Johnson, who he voices for TV's Spitting Image. But he also plans to have 'Noel and Liam' make a surprise appearance too. He says: 'I impersonated them for years but it started to feel slightly crowbarred in. But now they're back and everyone's talking about Oasis again, it means I can dust off the old stuff. 'Unfortunately it means hundreds of thousands of fans have been forced to choose between seeing Oasis at Murrayfield or coming to see me do them at the Edinburgh Festival.' *Matt Forde new stand-up show Defying Gravity is on at the Pleasance Beyond from July 30 - August 24. While his four Edinburgh Fringe Political Party Specials take place at the Gilded Balloon. For more info visit:
The National
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The National
TransPennine Express to run extra trains during Edinburgh Fringe
TRANSPENNINE Express (TPE) is set to run up to three extra services a day for festivalgoers at this year's Edinburgh Fringe. The train operator will run the additional services from Saturday, August 2 until Friday, August 29 alongside its usual timetable to support those returning from Fringe shows. On weekdays, an evening service will depart Newcastle at 8:02pm, calling at Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Reston, Dunbar, and East Linton, before arriving at Edinburgh Waverley. READ MORE: The 'extraordinary' Neolithic village in Scotland that's older than the Pyramids A further service will leave Edinburgh Waverley at 9:56pm for Carlisle, stopping at Haymarket and Lockerbie. Andrew McClements, customer experience and transformation director at TransPennine Express, said: 'We are pleased to be able to offer these extra services for those travelling during the Fringe Festival and to support the city of Edinburgh during this popular event.' More than two million people are expected to travel the capital for the festival, with thousands of shows taking place across more than 250 venues in and around the city, so train services may be busier than usual. McClements added: 'We will be doing everything we can to help as many people as possible travel by rail during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 'We're asking our customers to plan ahead, expect services to be very busy and allow extra time for journeys.' For late-night travellers, a train will depart Edinburgh Waverley at 11:28pm, calling at East Linton, Dunbar, Reston, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth and Morpeth, before arriving in Newcastle. On Saturdays, a service will run from Newcastle at 7:27pm to Edinburgh Waverley, calling at Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Reston, Dunbar, and East Linton. An additional evening departure from Edinburgh Waverley at 7:57pm will head to Carlisle, calling at Haymarket and Lockerbie. READ MORE: Why this 'breathtaking' and 'otherworldly' beach is named the best in Scotland A late service will also operate from Edinburgh Waverley at 10:02pm, calling at East Linton, Dunbar, Reston, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth and Morpeth, before reaching Newcastle. Tom Thorburn, honorary president of Rail Action Group East of Scotland, said: 'We are delighted that TransPennine Express has positively responded to community requests and agreed to operate their late-night Edinburgh Festival trains during August again this year. 'With the addition of a late-night train on Saturdays this year in addition to the Monday to Friday trains which were very popular last year, these services are the answer to the travelling needs of people wishing to take in and enjoy the world's greatest festival in our area and beyond.'
Scotsman
a day ago
- General
- Scotsman
Why I'm proud to call 'Scotland's worst seaside resort' my home
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... 'Are you doing Edinburgh this year?' It's a question asked of many performers, meaning 'are you doing the Fringe this August?' When I lived in the city, involved in the performing arts for most of my adult life until 2020, it tickled me to be asked this annually. I 'did' Edinburgh every day. I planned to for the rest of my life. Sure, her drinks were extortionate, her rents became alarming, and the old architecture looked down on the shiny glass of yet another student accommodation block with understandable disdain. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But I loved her. She was a privilege to know – yes, a little difficult to – but worth the effort. Our relationship felt permanent, despite others finding her a mere 'base' or a transient city, to be studied in, 'done', or visited, before leaving. I'd served her tourists, extremely incompetently, as a waitress in my late teens. I'd dropped out of one of her universities in a hail of failure in the year 2000. I'd pulled pints in her clubs, performed on her stages from the noughties onwards. It is a wonderful thing to live in Edinburgh, a city that so many people want to visit (Picture: Jane Barlow) | PA Privilege of life in Edinburgh I'd cleaned her apartments and ferried distraught, often angry, newly homeless individuals and families into temporary accommodation, all over the city, as a homelessness warden in 2008/09. I eventually taught in three of her secondary schools, from coastal, diverse-intake comprehensives, to a posher state school in the leafy suburb of Barnton. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I knew her – as many writers have noted – to be a city of enormous contrasts. 'All roads lead to Princes Street,' the saying goes, but I was well aware that the city centre, with the arts hubs I was working towards making a full-time living in, didn't reflect her full story. Nevertheless, until my final year in Edinburgh, by which point I'd been a full-time, freelance poet/performer and literary events programmer for a few years, I felt an enormous privilege living somewhere that people loved to visit. Edinburgh was proud of herself, of her culture, her history. Breaking up with her was traumatic. But, frankly, by the time I left she really hadn't been behaving herself. Amongst other antics, her most eminent university caved to shouty activist pressure in 2020, renaming David Hume Tower the bland '40 George Square'. On the basis of complaints over one footnote in one essay, which, as poet Don Paterson pointed out in a recent polemic for the Irish Pages is entirely at odds with everything else Hume ever wrote, contemporary Edinburgh decided to put the boot in, declaring 'problematic' one of her most famous philosophers and influential sons. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad People stroll along Ayr beach (Picture: John Devlin) | National World No regrets about leaving Edinburgh had started to feel hostile. The increase in 'cancel culture' activism across the arts, and a subsequent change in finances, meant divorce was necessary. I packed up my scuffed memories, moving to the seaside town of Ayr, near where I grew up spending my teenage-hood dreaming of leaving for a life in Edinburgh. Ten days later, the Covid lockdown, 2020 was discombobulating... Five years in, however, I've no regrets. Apart from anything else, my writer's income wouldn't get me a mortgage on a letterbox in Edinburgh. I'm now in the nicest, most affordable apartment I've ever lived in. Yes, the seagulls are boisterous: one of them in particular should be on the stalking register for the way it eyes my cats through the window. But the salt cure of being next to the sea is priceless. My neighbours are friendly. The skies seem huge after the cramped, no-sunlight tenements of Tollcross. And, if I can thank those pesky Edinburgh arts activists for something, I experienced the otherwise bleak isolation of Covid in a place of serious beauty. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The River Ayr, where I used to go when skiving school 25 years prior, was a particular source of solace in those early days. Coming to terms with successfully escaping Ayrshire, only to be chewed up and spat out by the city, returning as someone then pushing 40, wasn't exactly the life-plan. 'That's my girl' But, in confirmation that my wee town truly is home now, I enjoyed my reaction to a recent headline. ''Scotland's worst seaside resort' revealed as locals blast 'ghost town' full of empty shops that's 'only getting worse'' led the story in The Sun. According to a survey of 3,800 Which? magazine readers, Ayr failed to impress many tourists, with residents also eager to point out the obvious decline of the town over the last three decades. My response? A chuckle and a 'that's my girl!' Like the early philosophers urged, Ayr knows itself. As with Edinburgh, it has a rich history worth exploring. But nobody denies the grim state of this once-thriving holiday town; nobody tries to put a shine on the stark situation. While there are pockets of affluence, like many Ayrshire towns there is serious rural poverty, a lack of affordable housing, and schools that struggle to improve educational attainment. While some have responded to the Which? survey by extolling the virtues of good transport links to Glasgow, the plentiful family-oriented activities and beautiful countryside (all true), as a resident it's unavoidable: Ayr is tired, needing more than sticking-plaster solutions to solve its problems. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nevertheless, I'm certain residents wouldn't indulge activists trying to rename Burns Statue Square, denigrating the celebrated Ayrshire-born poet's entire work, despite his arguably 'problematic' utterances. While the town struggles, it's characterised by real potential; people trying to improve things – alongside those who rightly chuff about the seeming lack of vision from local authorities. Much as with Edinburgh, Ayr's taken some getting used to, particularly after so long away from her. Despite the divorce, Edina and I are also back on – albeit cautious – speaking terms. But Ayr is, proudly, home, for the foreseeable.
