Latest news with #Scottish-made
The National
25-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Meet the owners of Edinburgh's new female-owned visitor centre
Sarah Lachhab and Mathilde Marcoux have launched their centre, Source Edinburgh, to provide maps, guides and Scottish-made crafts to the city's tourists after the VisitScotland iCentre on the Royal Mile was shut down in February. Speaking with the Sunday National, Lachhab explained why she and Marcoux decided to set up Source, the focus on selling artisan products made exclusively in Scotland and the biggest issues facing Edinburgh tourists – hint: it's not an excess of free public toilets. READ MORE: Could lynx roam Scotland again? 10 key points from major new report on reintroduction Lachhab, an established tour guide in Scotland, explained the origins of Source: 'Mathilde and I already run a business called Wee Ecosse, where we offer walking tours through Edinburgh in French. 'Our first business grew little by little, and we were in need of having a space to operate from. We started thinking that if we were going to lease somewhere, it'd be better if it was accessible to the public so we could create a new revenue stream to fund it by having a little ticket office and an artisan shop. 'As we were developing our ideas, we heard that, sadly, VisitScotland were closing down all of their iCentres. I'm a big believer in those places, so we thought that, as tour guides, it was a natural step for us to open one of our own.' Sarah Lachhab said she was a 'big believer' in the iCentres and was sad to see them close down (Image: Gordon Terris) A former VisitScotland employee herself, Lachhab understood that tourists in the digital age are more likely to use their mobile phones for things visitor centres previously had an edge over. Source has welcomed over one thousand visitors since its opening in West Parliament Square, facing St Giles' Cathedral, last month; a humble figure compared to foot traffic on the Royal Mile, but she and Marcoux are both firm believers in slow tourism and slow business. She said: 'Not a lot of people know about us, but we think it's so important to be able to provide services for tourists who need it most – like maps, for example, for someone whose phone doesn't have any data. 'We don't feel the need to grow super fast. We're a self-funded business and we want to be sustainable.' Unlike many of the tourist-trap gift shops on the Royal Mile, Source focuses on procuring goods for their shop from strictly Scottish manufacturers – candles from Ayrshire, soaps from Angus, baskets from Stornoway, Edinburgh-made shortbread and tartan accessories made by independent kiltmakers. A selection of the items sold inside Source's artisanal shop (Image: Gordon Terris)With only 18% of small businesses in the UK led primarily by women, Lachhab stressed the importance of Source and what the pair hope to bring to Edinburgh's tourism industry as the busy summer season approaches. READ MORE: NatureScot considers closing Scottish loch car park amid overnight camping She said: 'The biggest question we get asked is actually, 'where can I find a toilet?'. Edinburgh has a real lack of public toilets, so one of my biggest wishes for summer is that the council will add more that aren't in the Old Town so I can direct people to them. 'I also want our staff to be as trained to answer questions as genuinely as possible. I'm not a native English speaker, but we offer information in so many different languages – French, German, Korean, Spanish, Italian and, of course, English. 'We want to be accessible to as many people as possible and bringing diversity to the Mile is something we're really proud of. Maybe we are a little crazy trying to do business here, but we love it.'
The Herald Scotland
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Letters: Why Scotland must be part of Brexit's Global Britain strategy
The US, our largest export market – bigger than Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands combined – now guarantees greater access for Scotland's iconic products. Whisky, already a global symbol of Scottish excellence, is set to expand its reach, boosting rural economies. Salmon exports, too, are primed to surge, cementing Scotland's reputation for world-class seafood. Additionally, Scotland's engineering sector, including Rolls-Royce's high-value manufacturing, stands to benefit from increased transatlantic trade. With reduced barriers, Scottish-made components and precision engineering can access US markets more competitively, safeguarding jobs and supporting innovation. Read more: Reports: Donald Trump to announce US-UK trade deal today Scottish Government seeks clarity on new UK–US trade deal Donald Trump and Keir Starmer announce US-UK trade deal Meanwhile, the newly-finalised trade agreement with India slashes whisky tariffs from 150% to 75%, with a path to 40% over the next decade. This breakthrough opens the doors to 1.4 billion consumers, supercharging Scotland's most famous export. These are the opportunities that Brexit has made possible – opportunities the SNP would surrender by dragging Scotland back into the EU. Nicola Sturgeon once called Brexit a 'material change for the worse.' This week's trade triumphs tell a different story. Rejoining the EU would sever Scotland from the UK's internal market – 60% of our trade – while turning our back on Global Britain's expanding reach. Scotland's future prosperity depends on embracing these global partnerships, not retreating to the EU's declining bloc. To take full advantage of these new opportunities, the UK must focus on getting energy costs competitive. High-energy prices risk undermining the gains from these trade deals, especially for Scotland's energy-intensive industries. And while opinions on Donald Trump's methods may differ, he prioritised Britain's trade interests – something Barack Obama bluntly dismissed when he warned that the UK would be 'at the back of the queue' for any US trade deal if it left the EU. This week's US trade agreement proves just how wrong he was. Biden was totally disinterested to do a deal due to his Irish concerns In summary, Global Britain is here, and Scotland needs to be part of it – thriving, trading, and leading on the world stage. The SNP's nostalgic vision is a road to nowhere. Our future is global, and not narrow nationalism. Ian Lakin, Milltimber, Aberdeen. Scotland's spending has spiralled out of control I read that the final bill for electrification of the train line between Glasgow and East Kilbride has risen to almost £144 million (May 9). We are still waiting for the dualling of the A9 the main arterial route in Scotland – which again, as sure as night follows day, will come in over budget, when the SNP decide to carry out that project. The two ferries from Turkey are long overdue and their costs have harbour at Ardrossan is not suitable for the Glen Sannox, which again came in over budget. We still await the conclusion of Branchform, the cost here is presently over £ The sad thing is that there is no opposition that can hold the SNP to account and they are allowed to continue in this vein unhindered, and no doubt will be re-elected in 2026. If this were to happen, Scotland would continue to sink deeper into the mire, led by John Swinney and his cohorts continuing to waste our money. And they have the temerity to give themselves and all MSPs a £2,000 pay rise. For what? Neil Stewart, Balfron. Scepticism over GP appointments Rebecca McQuillan has unfortunately fallen for the political doublespeak when she talks about '100,000 extra GP Appointments' ('SNP faces two big problems as it kicks off election campaign', May 8). John Swinney was very careful with his words – he promised only 100,000 'appointments in GP surgeries', which is not quite the same thing. Those appointments might be with community link workers, voluntary aid workers, et cetera. but as long as they take place in a GP surgery, that'll qualify. However, I suspect even that will prove impossible to implement, I know of few GP surgeries that have the spare rooms to accommodate this, in any case. Dr Jim Finlayson (GP), Beauly. A reward for ministers' failure No government, business or organisation of any sort has ever managed to correct its failings without first accepting responsibility for its own shortcomings. John Swinney's latest Programme for Government completely failed to recognise the part he and his SNP government of failure have played over the last 18 years in undermining the public services that we all depend on. As such, we can already be confident in advance that it will bring precious little positive change for Scotland. Instead, as Brian Wilson correctly highlights, the First Minister rather cynically sought to focus on blaming others ('The FM's speech contained plenty of grievance and blame-shifting…but precious little vision', May 8). For any political party, modern government is difficult to get right, with ever-rising expectations combined with limited finance and resources. Yet, whether it is the attainment gap in education, the dreadful state of NHS waiting lists, the abandonment of our islands to a badly mismanaged ferry system, or the underfunding of our local authorities, the SNP have made the wrong decisions again and again. On drug deaths, missed environmental targets, or ill-thought through legislation that has had to be abandoned or reversed, the SNP's time in power has been characterised above all else by failure. Mr Swinney imagines that the people of Scotland will ignore the evidence of the SNP's 18 years of under-achievement, pitching his Programme for Government as the first salvo in the 2026 Holyrood elections. A vote for the SNP next year will be to reward failure, so it is to be hoped that instead we can collectively choose change and the opportunity that offers for so many things to start to improve. Keith Howell, West Linton. Prolonging the ferries' status quo What an oxymoronic statement from the transport secretary Fiona Hyslop ('Calmac is awarded contract to operate west coast ferries', May 8). If we are shifting from ' . . . a commercial arrangement to a model more focused on the delivery of a public service . . ' why maintain the fiction of a contract? A fundamentally commercial concept if ever there was one! All this announcement does is prolong the status quo of an arrangement that failed to function years ago, with government money subsidising and the same government sanctioning, through fines, the same publicly-owned organisation. In any event, it does nothing to address the problem at the heart of ferry provision which is not CalMac but the incompetence of Transport Scotland and CMal, abetted by a succession of hapless government ministers and other political posturers. If they are going to go for the delivery of a public service model, why not do it properly and make the ferry provider an arm of government? Then again such an arrangement might not appeal to politicians who currently deflect attention from their own shortcomings by blaming CalMac and the rest. But it's not all bad news. I see that doing away with the tender process will save £1.1m of expenditure! David Brookens, Whiting Bay, Isle of Arran. Set free the Russian people I thank George Morton (letters, May 7) for explaining that he knows of Russian acts in Ukraine of invasion, looting, torture, murder, rape and the deportation of children, and that he thoroughly endorses these actions. It's good of Mr Morton to relay anew Vladimir Putin's threats of escalation, but they are hot air. Putin knows that but Mr Morton doesn't. Putin can take his army home any time he likes. After all, he escalated from peace to war all by himself. Peace that Russia guaranteed by treaty in 1991. I don't know why Mr Morton thinks my choice of home needs discussion, but I can assure him that Switzerland loves the EU as much as I do. Many thousands of EU citizens cross every border of Switzerland to work every morning. Swiss commerce trades as eagerly in Euro currency as in Swiss Francs. Citizens of the EU and Swiss citizens may settle and work in each others' countries. Not quite without formality because a number of countries require residents to register. I and other inhabitants of Switzerland shop when we choose in France, Germany and Italy. To answer Mr Morton's direct question, I would have no prospect fighting in Ukraine because I have never been a soldier and would not be much use, and because I'm an entire generation older than most soldiers retire. I don't rule out helping clear unspent munitions afterwards from agricultural land, but Ukrainian authorities are understandably more interested in combatants so far. It's good of Mr Morton to pass on Russian observations about Swiss neutrality, but Swiss authorities publish very clear regulations about what I can and can't do, and themselves organise relief work in a number of countries. I take this opportunity of reminding Ian R Mitchell (letters, May 7) that Soviet authorities helped and joined Hitler in unleashing war on Poland in September 1939, so that the Soviet state might feast on the resulting devastation. Many Russians indeed perished after Hitler attacked Russia in 1941, but the Soviet state killed more Russians than Hitler did. It did take them longer. The current problem is not pro-Russian rioters who started a street battle in Odessa in 2014 with the support of armed police. The problem is the President and Commander in Chief of Russia who ignited war against Ukraine even longer ago than 2014, declaring that his own glory should shine down the ages like the glory of Peter the Great. His performance so far is more like Nicholas II, who like Putin threw away the lives of his soldiers. The free countries of Europe have the power to halt the fascist gangster Putin. It's not easy to set the Russian people free, but it's necessary. They are a wonderful people who deserve the freedoms which we enjoy quite thoughtlessly. That's why Putin can't can't tolerate visible freedom and democracy on the same land mass as Russia. Tim Cox, Bern 6, Switzerland. Body-swerving reality Ruth Marr (letters, May 9) focuses on some of the innovative and good things the SNP have achieved. Unfortunately the list of what they haven't achieved has been well-documented on here. Ruth and the separatists love blowing their trumpet and body swerving reality. Some might even call their achievements populist? John Gilligan, Ayr.
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
River City is so important to Scotland that BBC simply cannot scrap it
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... When River City first launched in 2002, the Scottish-made soap set in a fictional neighbourhood of Glasgow was only given a year. Yet the producers, writers, actors, and film crews behind Scotland's only soap believed in its potential. As Ken MacQuarrie, BBC Scotland's head of programming, said at the time: "What we are effectively doing here is developing a star factory, a long-running project that gives a boost to the wealth of talent that we've got here in Scotland, whether it is writing, directing, acting – and which we want to see develop and grow." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad More than two decades on, River City is still attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers and has launched the careers of everyone from Gary Lamont, who has featured in hit series Boiling Point and Rivals, to Sam Heughan, the internationally recognised star of Outlander. The BBC's Glasgow-based soap opera River City is set to come to an end | BBC Studios Drama Production/BBC Scotland As River City is filmed in my constituency of Dumbarton, I know first-hand the impact a film studio has on a local economy. And so I also understand why the BBC's decision to scrap the soap and end the use of the studio has caused so much outrage. More than 11,000 people have signed a petition calling for the BBC to reverse its decision, including Frankie Boyle, Robert Carlyle, Richard E Grant and Sanjeev Kohli. But it's not just about the famous names – River City has given a break to Scots working behind the camera as well. Since August 2022 alone, River City has hosted 72 trainees, all based in Scotland, including five female director trainees and 11 female writers, but also trainee electricians, sound engineers, make-up artists and producers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As Martin McHard, a researcher on River City, put it: 'Without River City, I would not be in the position I am, know the people I know, have the skills that I have acquired. It's been more important to me than I can put into words, and I worry for the Scottish television landscape without it.' By providing enough regular freelance work, River City keeps skilled creatives in Scotland rather than move to London or Manchester. It's that same talent pool and infrastructure that attracts streaming giants such as Netflix and Amazon. The BBC has pledged to continue to film network drama in Scotland, but there is a huge difference between flying crews up from London and creating homegrown productions, using Scottish-based creative talent. That's why this week I will be speaking in the Scottish Parliament debate on River City, urging the BBC to reverse its damaging decision and secure the future of Scotland's creative industries. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Yes, traditional TV habits are changing, but River City has already proved it can adapt with the times. The owners of the Dumbarton studio have made it clear that they are happy to renew the BBC's lease. As Stephen Purdon, the actor who plays Shellsuit Bob, put it on River City's 20-year anniversary: 'Scottish audiences are very loyal. There's EastEnders, of course, and Coronation Street, but River City is theirs.' The BBC should listen to Shellsuit Bob.
The Independent
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Petition to save BBC's River City soap attracts support of more than 10,000
More than 10,000 people have signed a petition urging the BBC not to axe the 'iconic' Scottish soap opera River City – with leading politicians amongst those bidding to keep the show going. Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie pledged they would 'strain every sinew to save the show and support Scottish talent'. The long-running show, set in the fictional community of Shieldinch, is filmed in her Dumbarton constituency. And Ms Baillie, who visited the set along with fellow Labour MSPs Neil Bibby and Pam Duncan-Glancy, insisted that 'the BBC must change its mind'. Posting on the social media platform X, she stated: 'River City is an iconic show that platforms Scottish actors while supporting Scotland's film and TV industry.' Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson meanwhile said: 'I share the concerns of many in the screen sector about recent TV commissioning for Scotland, including ending of River City.' He added that while BBC Scotland had confirmed three new drama projects at the same time as they announced the decision to end River City, two of these new programmes would be made by London production companies. The comments came as the petition, launched by the trade union Equity – which represents actors and others working in the creative industries – insisted the long-running programme is one of 'Scotland's most viewed and best-loved TV shows'. And it claimed the decision by the BBC to end the drama in the autumn of 2026 is an 'attack on Scottish-made TV drama, Scottish TV workers and the soap's 500,000 loyal viewers'. River City has been on air since 2002, but BBC Scotland said the decision to end the show reflected a change in viewing patterns, with audiences moving away from long-running series and instead opting for shows with shorter runs. Announcing the decision earlier this month, BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine said they would 'all be sad to see it go'. But she added: 'But, as viewing patterns change, and competition intensifies, this is the right time to invest in the next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland showcasing storytelling across the UK.' Equity general secretary Paul W Fleming, who visited the River City set earlier this week, said it had been important to 'hear direct about the impact that losing this show would have on training, acting and creative opportunities in Scotland'. He said: 'River City is the only Scottish soap, so its closure would be devastating for local talent. 'Equity will continue to campaign and lobby to save River City, and demand that the show's £9 million annual budget be ringfenced for continuing drama in Scotland.' Equity Scotland official Marlene Curran added that there has been a 'great outpouring of support for River City, from members of the public, politicians and those who work in the Scottish screen industry alike'. She added: 'This shows that, unlike the decision-makers at BBC Scotland, people know the value of the show and why it should be saved. 'Not only do long-running soaps like River City work as a training ground for those starting out in the industry, but they also offer the all-too-rare benefit of job security in an industry that is otherwise characterised by precarity and excludes those from working class backgrounds.' A BBC Scotland spokesperson stressed that 'the decision to end River City is a creative one driven by changing audience habits and declining viewing figures'. The spokesperson said: 'Audience patterns have shifted away from long-running serials to short-run dramas so that is where we will be moving our drama investment. This is about value for money for the audience. 'We are not cutting our drama spend in Scotland – in fact, we will increase it to around £95 million over the next three years. 'The Dumbarton lease coming to an end next year is not the reason River City will cease in September 2026 – the overriding factor has been an audience-driven one.' The spokesperson continued: 'River City training opportunities will remain active for another year until we cease production in April 2026. 'We are actively working with BBC colleagues, the independent companies making our newly announced dramas and others in the industry on future training opportunities. 'Our new dramas are written by Scottish writers, they will employ a wide range of Scottish-based talent and will be made by producers with bases in Scotland – just like River City.'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Petition to save BBC's River City soap attracts support of more than 10,000
More than 10,000 people have signed a petition urging the BBC not to axe the 'iconic' Scottish soap opera River City – with leading politicians amongst those bidding to keep the show going. Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie pledged they would 'strain every sinew to save the show and support Scottish talent'. The long-running show, set in the fictional community of Shieldinch, is filmed in her Dumbarton constituency. And Ms Baillie, who visited the set along with fellow Labour MSPs Neil Bibby and Pam Duncan-Glancy, insisted that 'the BBC must change its mind'. River City is an iconic show that platforms Scottish actors while supporting Scotland's film and TV industry. The BBC must change its mind and we will strain every sinew to save the show and support Scottish talent. — Jackie Baillie (@jackiebmsp) March 25, 2025 Posting on the social media platform X, she stated: 'River City is an iconic show that platforms Scottish actors while supporting Scotland's film and TV industry.' Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson meanwhile said: 'I share the concerns of many in the screen sector about recent TV commissioning for Scotland, including ending of River City.' He added that while BBC Scotland had confirmed three new drama projects at the same time as they announced the decision to end River City, two of these new programmes would be made by London production companies. The comments came as the petition, launched by the trade union Equity – which represents actors and others working in the creative industries – insisted the long-running programme is one of 'Scotland's most viewed and best-loved TV shows'. And it claimed the decision by the BBC to end the drama in the autumn of 2026 is an 'attack on Scottish-made TV drama, Scottish TV workers and the soap's 500,000 loyal viewers'. 🚨 URGENT: Tell BBC Scotland to Save River City 🚨 Sign and share our petition now, save one of Scotland's best loved TV shows and protect vital jobs and creative opportunities 👇 — Equity (@EquityUK) March 18, 2025 River City has been on air since 2002, but BBC Scotland said the decision to end the show reflected a change in viewing patterns, with audiences moving away from long-running series and instead opting for shows with shorter runs. Announcing the decision earlier this month, BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine said they would 'all be sad to see it go'. But she added: 'But, as viewing patterns change, and competition intensifies, this is the right time to invest in the next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland showcasing storytelling across the UK.' Equity general secretary Paul W Fleming, who visited the River City set earlier this week, said it had been important to 'hear direct about the impact that losing this show would have on training, acting and creative opportunities in Scotland'. He said: 'River City is the only Scottish soap, so its closure would be devastating for local talent. 'Equity will continue to campaign and lobby to save River City, and demand that the show's £9 million annual budget be ringfenced for continuing drama in Scotland.' Equity Scotland official Marlene Curran added that there has been a 'great outpouring of support for River City, from members of the public, politicians and those who work in the Scottish screen industry alike'. She added: 'This shows that, unlike the decision-makers at BBC Scotland, people know the value of the show and why it should be saved. 'Not only do long-running soaps like River City work as a training ground for those starting out in the industry, but they also offer the all-too-rare benefit of job security in an industry that is otherwise characterised by precarity and excludes those from working class backgrounds.' A BBC Scotland spokesperson stressed that 'the decision to end River City is a creative one driven by changing audience habits and declining viewing figures'. The spokesperson said: 'Audience patterns have shifted away from long-running serials to short-run dramas so that is where we will be moving our drama investment. This is about value for money for the audience. 'We are not cutting our drama spend in Scotland – in fact, we will increase it to around £95 million over the next three years. 'The Dumbarton lease coming to an end next year is not the reason River City will cease in September 2026 – the overriding factor has been an audience-driven one.' The spokesperson continued: 'River City training opportunities will remain active for another year until we cease production in April 2026. 'We are actively working with BBC colleagues, the independent companies making our newly announced dramas and others in the industry on future training opportunities. 'Our new dramas are written by Scottish writers, they will employ a wide range of Scottish-based talent and will be made by producers with bases in Scotland – just like River City.'
