Five things you need to know today
A load of rubbish, August rooftop music at St James Quarter, and problems for military museum which has to move home.
Huly Hill historical site - no clean up after a week
The Newbridge Association is still trying to get the council to clean up their village's ancient monument after a group of travellers were moved on from the site last week.
Despite assurances from the council's Transport and Environment Convener there has been no action at all from the local authority to remove any of the debris left behind.
After a six week period during which two lots of travellers used the site, the residents were appalled by the rubbish left behind, and asked the council for help.
Last week Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson said: “We’ve taken action against an encampment at Newbridge, with sheriff officers serving a legal notice to vacate the site earlier this week. The site will now be cleared and returned to its former condition.”
The villagers report there has been no action taken in the last seven days.

Appeal to West Lothian Council about Wilkieston military museum
The local MP Gregor Poynton, who represents the Livingston constituency, visited Military Museum Scotland in Wilkieston during an uncertain time for the museum and Linburn residents, who are facing eviction.
He said: “Meeting veterans here, surrounded by the history they helped shape, was incredibly moving. Ian and his team have built something truly special — a place that doesn’t just preserve history but actively improves lives in our community.
“It’s worrying that the museum now faces having to leave its current site by the end of the year. I’ll do all I can to support the museum, its volunteers and the local community to find a new, secure home so they can keep doing what they do best.
“That’s why I’ve written not only to the Chief Executive of West Lothian Council requesting an urgent meeting, but also to the Minister for Veterans in the Scottish Government, urging them to get behind this vital community asset and support its relocation. This museum delivers real social value and touches countless lives — it deserves meaningful backing at every level.
“I want to thank everyone who’s already rallied round the museum, including the team at Tunnock’s for their fantastic contribution. I’m calling on anyone who’s able to help — whether that’s donating, sharing the appeal, or offering practical support — to get involved.
“And I’m urging the Scottish Government to step up too. This museum delivers real social value, supports our veterans and combats loneliness and isolation. It’s exactly the sort of project that deserves public funding and Government backing.”
Ian Inglis, Founder and Manager of Military Museum Scotland, said: “When I first set out to create this museum, I was told there was no need for another military museum, that others had tried and failed, and that we wouldn’t last six months. Well, here we are, nearly ten years on, with nine major awards under our belt and countless lives touched through our work.
“West Lothian is our home. We serve not just veterans, but the wider community. Our volunteers – many of whom are veterans themselves – rely on this place as a lifeline. For many of them, Military Museum Scotland is more than a museum — it’s a sanctuary.
“We urgently need help to secure a new permanent location, one that allows us to continue this vital work and ensure our veterans have a place they can continue to call home.”
Corstorphine Art Group
The Corstophine Art Group are holding their Annual 2025 Art Exhibition in St Ninian’s Church, Corstophine on Saturday 26th July to Saturday 2nd August. Opening times are 10.30am to 4pm each day except on the final Saturday, when they will close at 3.30pm. Most of the original art is for sale, and an ideal gift for your home or office.
New Tesco Express in Ocean Terminal
A new Tesco Express store has opened its doors in north Edinburgh.
Located in the Ocean Terminal shopping centre, Tesco Express opened its doors for the first time just last week.
The new store is open 7 days a week from 7am-10pm and has employed 20 members of staff to help serve shoppers.
Tesco Ocean Terminal Express features an InPost parcel service and National Lottery machine, with a Costa Coffee machine being available from next week.
Ashley Cullen, store manager at Tesco Ocean Terminal Express, said: "We’re thrilled to finally open our doors and serve the people of Edinburgh. Ocean Terminal shopping centre has been missing a main food retailer for years, despite facing onto the Royal Yacht Brittania which alone attracts 400,000 visitors each year, so it was a no brainer to open our new location here!
Ashley continued: "Our shelves feature a wide range of everyday essentials such as fresh produce, bakery treats, healthcare items, and of course, everyone’s favourite meal deal.
“I’m proud to be leading a fantastic team in store and we are all looking forward to meeting our new customers over the coming weeks.”
The store will also be part of the Tesco Stronger Starts grant scheme, which invites local schools and community groups to apply for funding that supports the health and wellbeing of children.
The scheme includes three local projects which are then voted on by customers in-store every three months, with first place awarded up to £1,500, second place up to £1,000, and third place up to £500.
The new Express store will also be working alongside Cyrenians, the Edinburgh-based charity which helps people who have experienced homelessness with food and shelter as well as work.
St James Quarter Sessions
The free music festival in the city centre is coming back for the third time from 15 to 24 August.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe at St James Quarter includes more than 60 acts performing in the canopied development, including the Level 6 rooftop, which has panoramic views of the city, on one of the most unique festival stages.
Hot on the heels of the band’s 30th anniversary tour, 90s icons The Brand New Heavies, will be bringing acid-jazz hits such as “You Are The Universe” and “Midnight At The Oasis” to Edinburgh. Fans can expect a stacked set of classic tunes, heavy bass lines and hypnotic rhythms from one of the band’s that helped to establish acid-jazz in popular culture in the 90s.
Winner of the Scottish Music Awards' Sound of Scotland award and previously BBC Introducing's Scottish Act of the Year, Glasgow rapper Bemz will begin this year’s main event with a Friday night performance on the Level 6 Castle View stage. Having toured with the likes of The Snuts, Bemz has been building a reputation as a leading light in Scotland’s hip-hop scene.
Fresh from making her Glastonbury debut this year, Cortney Dixon is poised to set the rooftop on fire with a set of indie-pop anthems. Expect fuzz laden guitars and a raucous performance from the North East’s latest hot property.